Crossword Genius

Small number of shots in fight (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

spar

'fight' is the definition.
(sparring is a kind of fighting)

'small number of shots' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'number of shots' becomes 'par' (golf).
's'+'par'='SPAR'

'in' is the link.

(Other definitions for spar that I've seen before include "Length of wood" , "Raps with wooden beam" , "Close friend" , "Round pole to support sail" , "Mast - boom - gaff" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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