Cryptic crossword clue
Those in contention left to block attacks 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BATTLERS

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
B
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Those in contention" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case those in contention = battlers.
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 BATTLERS mean?

BATTLERS noun
  1. (Oxford University) A student who is supplied with provisions from the buttery; formerly, one who paid for nothing but what he called for.
BATTLERS noun
  1. One who wages battle against an enemy; a soldier; a general.
  2. An itinerant worker or unemployed person.
  3. One who who works hard in the face of adversity.

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