Possible Clues:

• Weigh heavily
• Old way to serve as a soldier and fight for a cause
• Contend with one brilliant in final check
• Have weight (against)
• Work (against)
• A time is about lit to influence for or against
• Contend with French actor turning up in the distance
• Tell partner to keep Shed drunk
• Provide force to get major road illuminated at end of lane
• Have influence (against)