Inquisitor 1230

[x_word_fan]

I have a full grid (less 31a) and have the message - also 9 words, 5 of which are connected to what I believe is the sporting theme and 4 which are not.

Any tips on where to go from here?

[Q-lyn]

31 a Hogreeve?
I was unsure of 23 d, guessed answer but could not find word in dictionary - in text with A extra letter?
I took unchanged answers as zero score, others with minus 3/4 letters etc.

[Calibax]

I think 23d is a misprint annd should read televisionS (on [a]erials).
Your 4 other words relate to a word meaning over rather than under

[Q-lyn]

Yes that makes sense thank you Calibax

[x_word_fan]

Appreciate the help both of you - however I don't see the connection with "over" for words such as S**T and D***L.

re the 5 others - I would have thought it meant minus 1 in each case rather than the numbers 3/4

Any thoughts on non-Eurpopean?

[Calibax]

You should have 10 words, 5 of which share a theme and relate to
-1 (except one special case which relates to -2). The other 5 are
unrelated but share a common synonym (possibly with spelling variants
-ey/-ie which relates to +1

[x_word_fan]

Thanks

Yes - I see - so slow! - particularly as I love watching the game. Is non-european a red herring do you think?

[copelander]

I think the "non- european" just refers to rmoving an E from the names of the 2 players' names. My only remaining unknown is 14a " Rule awfully nice rum is artificial substance" I'm assuming an anagram, but can't get one! Any help, please?

[Calibax]

If you look at the names and remove the 'European' bits...

[x_word_fan]

thanks for that - re 14 - 3 letter word for rule then anag of nice rum

[copelander]

Thank you x_w_f.

[Antmark]

I have a full grid apart from 10 across.Also I'm missing the extra letter in the wordplay for 28 down. No idea of theme yet. Can anyone help please?

[x_word_fan]

Antmark - anag of thelongestliner - (6,2,7) then remove a 4 letter word there are 18 across clues and 18 down clues - sporting theme - be OPEN minded!

[Antmark]

Thanks. 10 across now sorted. Just musing on the relevance of 18?

[Antmark]

Thanks again. I was really slow to latch on to the theme but all clear now.

[x_word_fan]

Going back to 31a - OED gives hog reeve as 2 words maybe another typo?

[RossR]

Could somebody please explain 34A to me? I have an answer of sorts but cannot explain it.

[RossR]

Could somebody please explain 34A? I have an answer of sorts but cannot explain any part of it.

[cruciverbali]

'less withdrawn' = SEL (-S)

'on good terms with' = IN

'Australian' = A

[RossR]

Thanks, cruciverbali. It looks so simple now you tell me!