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Yes Neville, 21d seems to lack a “t”

I’ve just googled my hug question and found I am very ignorant!

As in most weeks, thanks, Jono.
I don't recall seeing 'Peter' used in that way before. So that's 5D, 14D (both the answer itself and part of the clue!) and 20A all with elements that are entirely new to me! A personal best (or worst). (I don't use an iPhone, either, but at least I'd heard of that one!)

21d is in Collins but not Chambers it seems and I can’t find any other sensible word to fit there, so a case of “grid crunch” I suspect :-)

I wish I found these as straightforward as others do.

2d, 5d, 6d, 7d (to name but a few) I cannot get my head around.

How should they be read? What kind of clues are they?

Quickest completion for some weeks, aided by 6 anagrams (7 if 13a is included), too many for my taste. Learned two new words (21d and 24a). 25a raised a smile. A prompt to watch the Netball?

Hi Druh,

2d. a straight anagram with “involved” as the anagram indicator
5d. a charade, so a series of parts. In this case it breaks down 1,3,2,1
6d. this is cryptic and a bit devious. My last one in, come back to this when you have some crossers.
7d. Another construction. ‘Leader’ indicates take the first letter. Then a word for governed and the answer is a country.

Hope that helps get you started!

Hurtled through this until came to a grinding halt on 5d, 6d, the first two words of 14d, 16a and 19a . When the hour was up, had not got any further so gave up and looked up the answers.
5d Never heard of it
6d Can't see the "at nine" bit
14d Never heard of it and can't see how the first letter is a hug
It's a long long time since I've solved fully.

6d at nine is just first letters.
14d Hug is one letter that represents a hug.

Hi Loubylou,
AT moves across from the clue. Then, what do nine balls and a Ceilidth make?
The hugs thing is a texting abbreviation in social media etc. usually combined with kisses x?x?