Apols all, had to bow out of chat yest evening. Thx Kate for pointing out that POSSESSION only has 10 letters - didn't realise I'd acquired an extra finger! As fRANCIS correctly observed the 'O' of Down clue Cut cuff (4) CROP is in the wrong place, which means that Xword has a typo or we're barking up the wrong tree with CROP. Any input greatly appreciated.