Ev 1313

[pomona]

Number of letters not given

4a Two Australians backed retaining most of useless small area
9a Beer - about to cuddle college tree

2d French girlfriend from team leaving French city (ans has 4-7 letters)
7d Seemingly cut off, is taken aboard Victory, having abandoned ship (7 letters or less)

[Spoffy]

4a (A OZ) (Two Australians) reversed around NUL(l) (most of useless) = ZONULA
9a ALE (Beer) RE (about) around C (college) = ALERCE

2d AMIENS (French city) - N/S ([bridge] team) = AMIE
7d IS in ('taken aboard') (SUCCESS (Victory) - SS (having abandoned ship)) = SUCCISE

[pomona]

Many thanks Spoffy... i had amie but didn't know why!