The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word SCRIMMAGE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
C
R
I
M
M
A
G
E
More clues leading to the result SCRIMMAGE
- Mark grimaces painfully in fight
- Second offence, involving periodical disorderly struggle
- Struggle with violent crime mags
- Small offence importing glossy handbags?
- Small enclosure holds ring before mass brawl
- Second offence will include periodical brawl
- American football practice leading to a noisy riotous fight
- Small journal involved in wrongdoing and disorderly struggle
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "disorderly struggle" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case disorderly struggle = scrimmage.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SCRIMMAGE mean?
SCRIMMAGE noun- A rough fight.
- In some team sports, especially soccer, a practice game which does not count on a team's record.
- In American football or Canadian football, a play that begins with a snap from the center while opposing teams are on either side of a line of scrimmage.
- To have, or be involved in, a scrimmage.