Possible Clues:

• Grab windfall profits initially in wake of some players on pitch
• Steal (fruit) from an orchard
• Unruly crowd prepared at first to steal from farmer
• Nick apples
• Coming together in sport at opening, Princes lift Royal Galas?
• Pinch middle of muscle on bottom
• Get the fruit of another's labour? That's a feature of 22 down 26's game plan, initially
• Take fruit and small cakes, giving the last three away
• Appropriate fruit soft after bruising action?
• Crowd beginning to pick appropriate fruit