Clue In Independent 9972

[Hagen]

There's a clue in this puzzle by Phi which nobody on Fifteen Squared has managed to explain satisfactorily.

Abandon something implied in 14? (4,4)

The answer to 14 is SWAN LAKE and the answer to this clue has to be BACK DOWN. But how does it work?

[dannyk13]

What is the clue for 14?

[margarettom]

Well, swan's have down but it's a bit tortuous..

[donny48]

black swan would have black down(feathers) abandon something = back down

[Hagen]

Sorry, should have given the clue for 14:

Small late party when hosting a new line in ballet (4,4)

14 is an across clue and the clue for BACK DOWN is 5 down.

[sedge47]

If a rugby union team is 'a back down' it would have only 14 players ???

[dannyk13]

Good one sedge.:-)

[Hagen]

That's got to be it! Nice one.