Saga Cryptic Challenge May

[felly]

I'm really struggling with this crossword. It no longer has a prize but I still like to do it.
These are the ones I have left:-
8a A place in France? I'll leave time for the language (5) ??E?T
17a Mark on wood of old instrument (5) S?A?? If this is stain why please
1d Ultimately wanting fish or game (4) S???
5d Winter runner - not English - meets resistance in search (5) S?I?R If this is skier why please
6d Ashes complaint, member disappears (6) E?S?E?
11d Steal credit for putting in oil container (6) S?R???
I really have tried but just can't get any further. Please help anybody.

[bibblebub]

8a: ALEUT = a + l(i)eu + t

[bibblebub]

1d: SKAT = skat(e)

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/skat

[bibblebub]

5d: SKIRR = ski(e) + r

defn 2 http://www.thefreedictionary.com/SKIRR

[bibblebub]

11d: SCRUMP = CR. inside SUMP

[bibblebub]

17a: SHAWM = shaw + m

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shaw
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shawm

[bibblebub]

6d: EASLES = (m)easles

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/easle

[bibblebub]

sorry, for 5d should read:- ski(e)r + r

[elliemay1]

Well done bibblebub!

[bibblebub]

when one doesn't have the crossword it does help when the letters given in the question are correct, as they are here

[felly]

Thank you bibblebub - have missed your help. Until this month I haven't bothered with this crossword since the prize was withdrawn but missed it. However I've not done very well have I? I should have got skate and definitely scrump but I think the others are very difficult. I don't understand the significance of Ashes in 6 down as the clue seems to work without it. Can you explain?

[bibblebub]

FOR EASLES, the definition is ashes

and the wordplay is that the complaint (i.e. illness) is MEASLES and the M [for member] is removed

[felly]

Ah now I get it. Thanks again.

[bibblebub]

happy to help