### Clue: Start off season before umpire returns with drug in hamper (9)
### Answer: INTERFERE 
 ### Explanation: Definition: hamper
  W(first letter,*start*) taken away(*off*) from WINTER(*season*) +(*before*) reversal(*returns*) of REF(eree,*umpire*) +(*with*) E(Ecstasy *drug*).  Defn:  To meddle in and thus *hamper* proceedings.