Crossword Genius

Small offence importing glossy handbags? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scrimmage

'handbags?' is the definition.
(both can informally mean a fight or conflict)

'small offence importing glossy' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'offence' becomes 'crime' (I've seen this before).
'importing' indicates putting letters inside.
'glossy' becomes 'mag' (I've seen this in other clues).
'crime' enclosing 'mag' is 'crimmage'.
's'+'crimmage'='SCRIMMAGE'

(Other definitions for scrimmage that I've seen before include "messy struggle" , "Disorderly struggle (on sports field)" , "Fight" , "Noisy brawl or struggle" , "Confused tussle" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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