Scratches, having tied games (9)

I believe the answer is:

withdraws

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'scratches' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with contact as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'having tied games' is the wordplay.
'having' becomes 'with' (I've seen this before).
'tied games' becomes 'draws' (draw is a kind of game. I am not sure about the 'tied' bit.).
'with'+'draws'='WITHDRAWS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish News.

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