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Foinaven, 14 is QUICK;
Charlesberg, 5 is SPLOG;

The possibilities are restricted since the clashes can only be between letters 2 apart

I thought it might be QUICK, but that still gives me 52 clashes and these, along with 21 genuine appearances, makes 73.

And I have chosen the 'other' alternative for the ambiguous clue.

So I am still stuck.

Sorted out - I had two letters in a cell which was clashless!

I still don't quite understand the wordplay for 31A, which makes sense apart from MY. If it were M I would be happy.

And the plural form is not mentioned in Chambers.

'M' is regularly used as a contraction for 'my', as in m'lud. It is listed in Chambers as such.

Foinaven, I have a completed grid that I'm happy with, and it has 50 clashes and 22 genuine appearances of the themed letter. Maybe you have just one incorrect entry somewhere?

Not wanting to give too much away, I have the following number of clashes on the odd rows : 2, 7, 1, 5, 2 and 7. Do yours agree ?

Looks like you are already over the finishing line. Tough one this week.

Schorley, I have 2 clashes in row 5. BLUING clashes SEWEL, FLAB clashes with DONE.

You are absolutely right -- I should have said 51 clashes and 21 genuine appearances. Sorry if I confused anyone :-)

Mind you, I'm getting quite good at counting to 72 now -- might have another go just to be sure.

Good grief this has been tricky. Would one of you kind folk please help a wounded n00-B? I think the 21a/22d nexus has to be SLUBB/JPENS (plus the thematic restrictions) but can't find any satisfactory definition for either of those words. Feels like I must be wrong but can't quite find a solution. Many thanks in advance.

n00b - both are correct. Slubb is in Chambers under slub and J-pens is listed under the letter J rather than its own heading. Hope this helps!