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#struggling

16a - Cheat in part sadly lacking in quiet grey matter? (10)

I have no idea here; what is the definition? What is the question mark all about? What type of clue is it?

21a - Allegation, one that’s harboured by reticent type (5)

Ditto

I have more questions but I’m always worried I incur the wrath of moderators!

16 is an anagram indicated by “sadly”. However, you have one too many letters so you need to remove the one letter that means “quiet”.
The ? here, though not strictly necessary, reflects that the definition is a little tangential… it’s a grey and it’s matter but not “grey matter” as in “brains”.

Hi there druh6sm

I think that the defn in 16a is not strictly correct. Answer is an anagram of the first 3 words minus the musical abbreviation for "quiet", defn is clearly meant to be the last 2 words.

And 21a. Defn is 1st word, wordplay is usual letter for "one" inserted into 4-letter word for a marine exemplar of a "reticent type"

Hello druh6sm,

Not claiming to be an expert, but I'll try to help....

16a definition is the last two words, but not referring to brain grey matter, more something geological (I think!). The "lacking quiet" refers to removing a common crossword single letter (musical usage), otherwise "sadly" indicates anagram of first words. I only got this one with the help of the crossers!

21a definition is first word. "one" is common single letter to be included in a synonym for "reticent type".

Hope that helps, with apologies for any stupid mistakes I have made. Bit nervous that normally replies come from people who I can see are very experienced at this game!

doh! Looks like I was typing while others were replying!

Amazing. It sound so much more straightforward when you explain it like that.

I genuinely would pay serious money for one-to-one coaching!

IanJ, no need to be nervous, that was an excellent and thorough explanation 👍🏻