9a(7,4) ??s?i?g ?i?e clock's trial period (I thought passing time but this makes the next clue v?a (3) rival five, that is (3) v?? 23a (5,4) players on the ball, so to speak d?n?e ???? last one (3) r?? continuous spell of rapid motion (the last letter of this word is the second last letter of the clue before this)