Very clever move made by original rower (12)
I believe the answer is:
masterstroke
'very clever move' is the definition.
(a masterful move)
'by original rower' is the wordplay.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'original' becomes 'master' (synonyms).
'rower' becomes 'stroke' (term for a rower).
'master' next to 'stroke' is 'MASTERSTROKE'.
'made' is the link.
(Other definitions for masterstroke that I've seen before include "outstanding piece of strategy" , "Brilliant act" , "Clever idea" .)