Strike alongside second labourer (8)
I believe the answer is:
backhand
'strike alongside second labourer' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'alongside second labourer' is the wordplay.
'alongside' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'second' becomes 'back' (to second a motion is to back it).
'labourer' becomes 'hand' (hand is a kind of labourer).
'back' next to 'hand' is 'BACKHAND'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for backhand that I've seen before include "flourish in court" , "Tennis stroke" , "A racket stroke" , "tennis side" , "shot from behind" .)