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Took me a while to get onto Matilda’s wavelength, and I thought one or two clues were a bit iffy. Didn’t know one word at all. FOI the gimme at 2dn, LOI the tricksy 8ac. COD perhaps 15d 23d

Thanks to Matilda. Unusual Prize: felt challenging, but solving time wound up far shorter than the norm. Most of the thematics were write-ins, which helped a great deal [for instance, (10,24,26) was second one in]. Agreed on iffy clues, but there were several witty highlights.

FOI 2, LOI the one word rogissimo didn't know at all (I assume); neither did I and Google was required.

COD 21 over 8, 4, (15,23) and 28.

I nearly gave COD to 21ac, geeker. Certainly deserves a nod.
Pretty sure you’ve guessed my DNK: it wasn’t my LOI only because I guessed from the crossers and fodder and then checked with a Google

Enjoyed this. Cod also 21 here.

Just checking something. My app has 2,5 as the words for 18a. That is correct yes?

Pretty sure I've got the right answer to 8 but don't see where spattering comes into it. Any elucidation welcome.

I was just about to post the same question Lucertola. Does spattering have another meaning?

Game of two halves this. The west is complete. The East just a spattering.

I often don’t get to even start till Sunday, which is why I don’t often comment on here, as most people are finished well before then!

But I was up extra early this morning, so decided to give it a go. Nearly done, and all fairly straightforward, but I haven’t a clue what 6d could be despite having all the crossers in. I’m pretty sure they’re all correct, so any help gratefully received!

Teacher. It's a word I'd never heard of meaning warding off bad luck or evil spirits. Had to go to Google but it does parse very well from the clue.

Yes