Crossword Genius

The skill of roguish old soldiers? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

archery

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the skill' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'roguish old soldiers?' is the wordplay.
'roguish' becomes 'arch' (I've seen this before).
'old soldiers?' becomes 'ery' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'arch'+'ery'='ARCHERY'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for archery that I've seen before include "Bowmanship" , "Shooting with bows and arrows" , "The sport of bowmen" , "Bowman's sport" , "Arrow-shooting" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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