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14a: US tableware? Alas this cruet we smashed. I have -URET.Clearly the first letter should be C. But just cannot get my head round the parsing. Chambers gives cleaning etc. Any help would be appreciated.

It’s a composite anagram, where the letters of ALAS, the solution [‘this cruet’] and WE can be rearranged (‘smashed’) to form US TABLEWARE. The solution is an American spelling of the cruet in question, and is listed in Chambers under the headwords for the more usual spelling.

Many thanks. Trust Mr C to come up with something quite convoluted! Again thanks.

Help please ......

15a. Fantastic diamonds are topping rubescence. (6) ?u?r?d

Thanks.

Definition is 'topping in rubescence'.
A synonym for 'fantastic' + D
The word doesn't come up in Quick Solve.

Thank you mattrom.

Could anyone help parse 19 down
Scottish cuckoo? Caught in net it’s lacking in value (7)

The net seems to be a four letter football term beginning in g.
I can’t work out the three letter word in the middle - though the answer is evident.

Thanks to anyone who will help

'value' = MER(it) 'lacking it'

gomeral = Scottish cuckoo / simpleton, fool (def)
goal - net
mer (it) - value

Thanks both - obvious in retrospect