Serious consequences as that fellow will always secure first place (4,2,3)
I believe the answer is:
hell to pay
'serious consequences' is the definition.
'hell to pay' can be an answer for 'consequences' (I have seen 'dire consequences' mean 'hell to pay' so perhaps 'consequences' could also mean 'hell to pay'). I am not sure about the 'serious' bit.
'that fellow will always secure first place' is the wordplay.
'that fellow will' becomes 'hell' ('he'll', contraction of 'he will').
'always' becomes 'ay' (archaic term for 'always').
'secure' is an insertion indicator (inserted letters are secured inside).
'first place' becomes 'top' (top of the leaderboard).
'hell'+'ay'='hellay'
'hellay' going around 'top' is 'HELL TO PAY'.
'as' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hell to pay that I've seen before include "dire consequences" , "leading to serious consequences" .)