Genius 200

[Pete666]

Struggling on last 2 clues. 2d is a straight clue:
What helps bowlers hit their mark? (4) ?i?e
24a is cryptic. clue gives solution with no definition, from which a 'compass point' can be removed to make a 6- letter word (t?w?r?)
Navy tug is first to move backwards.

[Buenchico]

Are you sure about the 'e'?

'Bias' (as in lawn bowls) seemed to be a possibility when this question was asked yesterday
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Quizzes-and-Puzzles/Crosswords/Question1694617.html
but that obviously won't fit with the 'e'. ('Pins' was also suggested but seems to fall down in the same way).

'Line' is another possibility (as in a cricket commentator saying "It's taken a while for the bowler to find his line").

[Pete666]

Yip OK, there seems to be more than one set of answers. We put in 'rale' for 10a (anag earl + s = rales & take 's' out) then line would sort of fit for 2d.
either way, 2d is not a good cryptic clue, really just a devious straight one!

[JJ109]

The nearest I can get is
24a Townward - NW = toward
N(avy), tow(tug) "is first" = town
then to move back"ward" = Townward
Minus the compass point = Toward

I don't like the fact it says "backwards" though and not "backward"

[iminoz]

Hi JJ, I think it's DRAW (to move) backwards (reversed).

[JJ109]

Thanks Iminoz - so I got the right answer for the wrong reason! Nothing surprises me with this crossword, I have already submitted my entry but there were a number of answers where I thought of alternatives.

[Pete666]

thanks guys, yes we thought of townward as well,but again, it's not that certain is it.

[OLDWOLFIE]

I've got `pins' (what helps bowlers, `spin', hit (as an anagrind), to give their mark, `pins') for 2D, and `dans' (`and' awkward (as anagram signifier) giving `dan' plus `e' for earl and `s' for son---`Danes'; then remove `e' for east to give `dans'---as in martial arts) for 10A. The latter is not very satisfactory, though.

[Pete666]

OK, we'll just have to spin a coin for the correct answer!