No 12316, Monday 15 May 2018, The Phantom

ACROSS
8   Certificate of study about schooling essentially at University (6) COUPON {CO{UP}{schoOling}N}
9   I procure counters for the better (8) CROUPIER* &lit
10 Catch after ache requiring great effort (4,4) LONG HAUL {LONG} {HAUL}
11 Gland contributing to healthy muscle? Rather the opposite! (6) THYMUS [T]
12 Man going around sporting flashy watch (6) BEHOLD {B{HE<=}OLD}
13 Relative died in well that's shallow? (4,4) SKIN DEEP {S{KIN}{D}EEP}
15 Crude boat in seaway evacuated (7) SKETCHY {Sea{KETCH}waY}
17 Not very eager to include many for agitation (7) FERMENT FER(-v+m)MENT
20 Take off on excellent Royal runway (8) AIRSTRIP {A1}{R}{STRIP}
22 Trading in cotton exchanging tips from thrifty businessman (6) TYCOON COT(-t+y)YON* Not sure of Anno
23 Cutback on fuel regularly in the last month (6) ULTIMO {fUeL}{OMIT<=}
25 Woo female at last with a new dance (8) COURANTE {COUR{A}{N}T}{f...lE}
26 Lethargic at home I have skirted work (8) INACTIVE {IN}{ACT}{I'VE}
27 Daughter in shock over coiffure (6) HAIRDO {HAIR}{D}{O}

DOWN
1   Kind of collar only carried by policeman mounted on horseback basically (4-4) POLO-NECK {PO{LONE}C<=}{h...cK}
2   Opening lips to get one's flap behind the tongue (10) EPIGLOTTIS {LIPS+TO+GET+1}*
3   One's contribution without pressure is voluntary (6) UNPAID {UN}{P}{AID}
4   Ophthalmologist's tip to succeed — focus endlessly (7) OCULIST {LIST} after {fOCUs}
5   Caught often crossing median, pedestrian is chastened (8) CONTRITE {C}{OfteN}{TRITE}
6   Nimble scout crosses river (4) SPRY {SP{R}Y}
7   Review to continue … (6) RESUME [DD]
14 … popular comic rated very high (10) DEMOCRATIC 'Very' is superfluous
16 With heart full of love, man in chair composed music (8) HARMONIC {M(-a+o)ON} in {CHAIR}*
18 Small number to dine around lunchtime (8) NOONTIDE {NO}{TO+DINE}*
19 Variety of Eastern spices being prepared (7) SPECIES {E+SPICES}*
21 Doing nothing one would fish? (6) IDLING {I'D}{LING}
22 Over-sensitive Tory expressing pain for men (6) TOUCHY T(-or+ouch)OUCHY
24 Pain quietly dissipating in part of foot (4) INCH pINCH

GRID

No 12291, Saturday 14 Apr 2018, The Phantom

Answer and anno of 26a left for a first time commenter till 10 AM.

Across

8. Not possible to accept this writer's clue? (6) NOTION {NOT}{I}{ON}

9. Strong reactions in 'Me too' campaign by society (8) EMOTIONS {IN+ME+TOO*}{S}

10. Need one in particular finally sit during take off? (8) APPETITE {AP{PET}{I}{siT}E}

11. Student taking leave to prepare for examinations (1,5) A LEVEL {L+LEAVE*}

12. Determined place of manufacture (6) OUTPUT {OUT}{PUT}

13. Regular audit in firm is desirable (8) SUITABLE {S{aUdIt}TABLE}

15. Jingle following commercial is counter-productive (7) ADVERSE {AD}{VERSE}

17. Students from Dubai often seen, in middle of the Gulf? That's odd (7) UNUSUAL {gU{NUS}{dUbAi}Lf}

20. Very small quarters possibly riled servicemen (8) SOLDIERS {SO}{RILED*}{S}

22. Enclosure putting goats extremely in distress (6) PIGSTY {PI{GoatS}TY}

23. To descend with rope Isabel's nervous (6) ABSEIL {ISABEL*}

25. Sublease men take to possess the right of way (8) EASEMENT (T)

26. Fell on road getting injured (8) ?T?A?N?D

27. Having clipped wings tailless one floundered (6) OWNING {WINGs+ONe}*

Down

1. Intermingle // to make matters worse (8) COMPOUND (DD)

2. Irregular diet generally contributing to weight increase is common (10) WIDESPREAD {W}{DIEt*}{SPREAD} Not sure how 't' goes away from Diet See comments

3. Nation producing oil (6) ANOINT {NATION*}

4. Dying to relax after a month … (7) DECEASE {DEC}{EASE} Is Die=Decease or Dying ?

5. … calling out for a break (8) VOCATION {V(-a+O}CATION}

6. Struggle getting caught in bad habit (4) VICE {VI{C}E}

7. Entertaining film where female's stripped to expose (6) UNVEIL {fUN}{VEIL}

14. Hire people in a small town for work (10) ASSIGNMENT {A}{S}{SIGN}{MEN}{T}

16. Increasing flow through pipe (8) SWELLING {S{WELL}ING}

18. Getting used to taunting that's unpleasant (8) ATTUNING {TAUNTING*}

19. Climbs up a ship that's cleaned regularly (7) ASCENDS {A}{S{ClEaNeD}S}

21. Men joining parts of cycles (6) ORBITS {OR}{BITS}

22. Climbing up boy finding hard to make progress (4,2) PUSH ON {UP<=}{S{H} ON}

24. Late to get morning paper (4) EXAM {EX}{AM}

Reference List
This writer=I, Society=S, One=I, Student=L, Students=NUS (National Union of Students), Small=S
Weight=W, Out=O, Caught=C, Female=F,  Town=T, Ship=SS, Men=OR, Hard=H, Late=Ex, Morning=AM

Colour/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

GRID

No 12265, Thursday 15 Mar 2018, The Phantom

Answer and annotation for 25A left for a first-time commenter till 10AM

ACROSS
1   Shamefaced about hiding naked in part of cupboard (6) DRAWER {D{RAW}ER<=}
5   Surrender as per law, making brief appearance in court (8) DEDICATE {D{EDICt}ATE}
9   Leave quickly when it's hot in shed (4,3) DASH OFF {AS}{H} in {DOFF}
10 Call girl's gone after giving the once-over (4-2) LOOK-IN LOOKINg
11 Decree modified to get Peter out (6) RECEDE*
12 … then cross over to adjacent location (4-4) NEXT-DOOR {NEXT}{ROOD<=}
13 Put back junk in corner beside curb (9) REINSTATE {REIN}{S{TAT}E}
15 Needle's thin but blunt (5) ARROW nARROW
17 Junction covered in cesspool's odour (5) STINK {S{T}INK}
19 One behind the counter sells a rig perhaps (9) SALESGIRL*
22 Reason for a counter attack seen in rift (8) ARGUMENT {A}{R{MUG<=}ENT}
23 A smiley's generally used in these letters? (6) EMAILS {A+SMILEy}*
25 Futile tumbling catch involving slip (6) ?A?R?N (Addendum - BARREN - {N{ERR}AB}<= - See comments)
26 Substance covering pole is rust (7) CORRODE {COR{ROD}E}
27 Course finally completed individual gets words of praise (4-4) WELL-DONE {WELL}{c...eD}{ONE}
28 Way out of ship for example is in front (6) EGRESS {EG}{RE}{SS}

DOWN
2   Overcoming gravity lift reaches top of roof (5) RIDGE {RID{G}E}
3   Indians shown as unfriendly in this kind of movie (7) WESTERN [CD] (Correction - {WE}{STERN} &lit - See comments)
4   Sleeping car's berth raised by Eastern railway official (8) ROOMETTE {MOOR<=}{E}{TTE}
5   The newspaper report’s supporting firm (8,7) DEFINITE ARTICLE {ARTICLE} under {DEFINITE}
6   Cheat selling diamonds for an unspecified value gets rich (6) DELUXE DELU(-d+x)XE
7   Soup for poor cowherd (7) CHOWDER*
8   Run over these places during inspection? That’s standard (9) TRICOLOUR {T{R}{LOCI<=}OUR}
14 Old and weary getting ready for squash? (9) EXTIRPATE {EX}{TIR{PAT}E}
16 Right at the corner, she often stops to catch train (8) REHEARSE {R}{E}{HEAR}{ShE}
18 Nervous about joint getting detached (7) NEUTRAL {NEU{T}RAL}
20 Beauty tips for girl meeting lover (7) GLAMOUR {GirL}{AMOUR} My COD
21 Unclean towels kept in outhouse? On the contrary (4-2) LEAN-TO [T]
24 Small boat capsized with vegetables (5) LEEKS {S}{KEEL}<=

GRID

No 12239, Tuesday 13 Feb 2018, The Phantom

Answer and Anno for 4D left for a rookie commenter till 10 AM.

ACROSS
1   Painful contraction compressing rib (6) TRAGIC {T{RAG}IC}
5   Through a road crossed over inclination to reach plantation (8) VINEYARD {VI{YEN<=}A}{RD}
9   Fiery discharge surrounding blaze of oil (7) VIOLENT {V{OIL*}ENT}
10 Elegant turban employee's carrying (6) URBANE [T]
11 Proposition movie star? (6) PLANET {PLAN}{ET}
12 Pompous lad had his faults not having succeeded (3-2-3) LAH-DI-DAH (Correction - {LAD+HAD+HIs} - See comments)}*
13 Flipping top, old judge let off steam (9) EVAPORATE {PAVE<=}{O}{RATE}
15 Pickpocket following one in the van (5) THIEF {TH{1}E}{F} Van meaning ahead? See comments
17 Admit getting on in years (5) AGREE {AG{RE}E}
19 Cooker left in dirty area in an odd manner (9) STRANGELY {ST{RANGE}{L}Y}
22 “Deploys ship to carry junk” charged one (8) STATIONS {S{TAT}{ION}S}
23 Dream to consume nectar (6) TRANCE*
25 By the way sailor left base to protest (6) OBJECT {OB}{abJECT}
26 Dire sin to practice, unfair trading of this kind … (7) INSIDER* &lit
27 Mention about court's judges (8) REFEREES {REFER}{SEE<=}
28 Female supporter in passion about to get close (6) NEARBY {Y{BRA}EN}<=

DOWN
2   Celebrate in bar having got promotion (5) REVEL<=
3   Old wine that's not available in club (5-2) GROWN-UP {GRO{WiNe}UP}
4   Animal’s preserve consists of grass that’s basically green (8) C?E?T?R? (Addendum - CREATURE {C{R(grEen}AT}URE} )
5   Gathering list activists display a model's set of curves perhaps (5,10) VITAL STATISTICS {LIST+ACTIVISTS}* over {A}{T}
6   Batsman finally about to depart caught for duck (6) NAUGHT {b...aN}{cAUGHT}
7   Ill-bred individual's part of strange hobby (7) YOBBISH {I'S} in {HOBBY}*
8   Society everyone's having to live in is vaguely familiar (4,1,4) RING A BELL {RING} {A{BE}LL}
14 Plant perhaps betel, gave nuts (9) VEGETABLE*
16 To criticize without any right is unfair (8) PARTISAN {P{A}{RT}{IS}AN} A for Any? See comments
18 Height in metres etched in old oak for example (7) EXTREME {EX}{TRE{M}E}
20 A thousand pounds every year for relative (7) GRANDPA {GRAND}{PA} What's the role of 'pounds'? See comments
21 Steel trunk comprises couple of joints (6) BOTTLE {BO{T}{T}LE}
24 Plant reduced carbon emissions (5) CAROB CARBOn*

GRID

No 12213, Friday 12 Jan 2018, Phantom

Today being Friday only the blank clues will be posted. All those who are silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. There is no limit on how many answers you want to give. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake someone will correct it with the right annotation.


The regular blog will replace the clues at 4 PM after which anyone is free to comment. 

Thanks everyone for the great response. Here is the regular blog.

ACROSS
8   Harry's sibling not one who follows Queen? (6) BOTHER BrOTHER R follows Q
9   Contacting individually through phone call (8) REACHING {R{EACH}ING}
10 Girlfriend's diamonds pinched (8) SQUEEZED {SQUEEZE}{D}
11 Practising lessons to extinguish fires (6) INGLES [T]
12 Points out a part of engine (6) PISTON*
13 Calculating runs is normal when chasing (8) COUNTING COU(-r+n)NTING
15 Elation about getting digital protection perhaps (7) TOENAIL*
17 Maiden over earlier at cricket ground leads to dismissal (7) REMOVAL {RE}{M}{OVAL}
20 Sign of European ace running out of luck (8) EVIDENCE {E}VIDENCE Anno pending
22 Son wearing a posh pullover that's impressive (6) AUGUST {A}{U}{GU{S}T<=}
23 Bird enthusiast follows quietly (6) PLOVER {P}{LOVER}

25 Excitement heightened beyond limits when allowed to vote (8) EIGHTEEN hEIGHTENEd*  &lit
26 Legal document requiring witness drafted (8) DESIGNED {DE{SIGN}ED}
27 Unpleasant persons shot fifty ousels on lake (6) LOUSES {L}{OUSElS}

DOWN
1   Doctor left in very old British war plane (8) MOSQUITO {MO}{S{QUIT}O}

2   Warned unruly teen to stay in line (10) THREATENED {THREA{TEEN*}D}
3   Defiant supporter joins religious school (6) BRAZEN {BRA}{ZEN}
4   Relationship manager rides on tube for work (7) PRODUCT {PRO}{DUCT}
5   Guy at hospital room about to get treatment for hands (8) MANICURE {MAN}{ICU}{RE}
6   Hoodlum's boat circling harbour (4) THUG {T{H}UG}
7   Reduced rates to enter bar for probationer … (6) INTERN {IN{TERms?}N} Anno pending See comments
14 … still fellow's often dull and pensive (10) THOUGHTFUL {THOUGH}T{F}{dUlL} T from? See comments
16 Blind girl on train mistreated (8) IGNORANT {G+ON+TRAIN}*
18 A news broadcast read loudly gets acknowledged (8) ANSWERED {A}{NEWS*}{RED}(~read)
19 Goal achieved by cricket side's superstars (7) LEGENDS {LEG{END}S}
21 Avalanche's roar over top of valley reverberated (6) VOLLEY {YELL}{O}{Va...y}<=
22 Pattern that's left out from gallery inadvertently (6) ARGYLE GALlERY*
24 Individual in armed forces stood up endlessly proud (4) VAIN {N{I}AVy}<=

GRID

Bhargav's Tale

What did the THUG upon REACHING the age of EIGHTEEN dare to do?

He THREATENED the "IGNORANT" father of the girl he was COURTING.

But he did not seem to BOTHER and the thug's threats were in VAIN.

The THOUGHTFUL father had informed the police and saw to the REMOVAL of the thug to the prison as an INTERN!!

No 12183, Friday 08 Dec 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS
1   Turned on, one's about to get book that's steamy (6) EROTIC {RE<=}{OT}{1}{C}
5   Six footer with stride full of energy overtakes African animal (8) ANTELOPE {ANT}{E}{LOPE}
9   Embarrassed over hugging weird male member of rock band (7) DRUMMER {RED<=} over {RUM}{M}
10 Crew in Delhi offers to take film back to the start (6) REWIND [T]
11 Hectic Monday for live wire (6) DYNAMO*
12 At the theatre's old counter handout describes musical drama (8) OPERETTA {AT}{ThE}{REP}{O} <=
13 Hairy problem for fifty aboard vessel having hollow bottom (5,4) SPLIT ENDS SP{L}IT{ENDS} Anno pending (Addendum - {S{P{L}IT}{END}S} - See comments)
15 Like model to sport company's tie (5) ASCOT {AS}{CO}{T}
17 Vegetables from boat sent over through sailor (5) OKRAS {ARK<=} in {OS}

19 One in train unhappy about Eastern Railway schedule (9)  ITINERARY {IT{1}N{E}RA*}{RY}
22 Ten alight train perhaps to have second round of coffee (8) ESPRESSO {E(-x+s)SPRESS}{O}

23 Letters oddly missing in Berlin — signs of a current phenomenon? (2,4) EL NINO {bErLiN+sIgNs+Of}
25 Arrive by a posh cab perhaps (6) LANDAU {LAND}{A}{U}

26 Rogue party involved in the Spanish revolution's collapse (7) IMPLODE {IMP} and {E{DO}L} <=
27 Pound’s good to hold one criminal till death (8) LIFELONG {L}{1}{FELON}{G}
28 Lock and key pulled hard (6) YANKED*

DOWN
2   Take companion's hat off to get sunburnt? (5) RUDDY {R}{bUDDY} Take/Recipe
3   Upcoming soccer team during its trips gets big wave (7) TSUNAMI {MANU<=} in {ITS}*
4   What music director A. R. Rehman did to be calm? (8) COMPOSED [DD]
5   Excellent crew maintains train's temperature control system (3-12) AIR-CONDITIONING {A1}{RIN{CONDITION}G}
6   Others' suffering causing distress (6) THROES*
7   Wild girl's out; left in company of partners (7) LAWLESS {LASS} over {W}{L}{E}
8   Climbing ladder to pick, not the best variety of grapes (5,4) PINOT NOIR {RIP<=} over {NOT}{NO1}

14 Neighbour at ski resort in extreme pain (9) PAKISTANI {AT+SKI}* in {PAIN}*
16 Compensate unfairly when lad in abject penury needs pounds (8) UNDERPAY {lAD+PENURY}*
18 Contract featuring in a game of cards (7) ABRIDGE {A}{BRIDGE}
20 Criticise a review (7) RUNDOWN [DD]
21 Sixth sense about shifty duo being phoney (6) PSEUDO {ESP<=}{DUO*}
24 One replacing son in scene turned out to be his cousin (5) NIECE {(-s+i)ICENE}* Semi&lit

GRID

No 12112, Thursday 14 Sep 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS
1   Bananas overripen and spoil (6) DAMAGE {MAD<=}{AGE}
5   Fellow repeatedly tackling champion gets praise (8) ACCOLADE {AC{CO}{LAD}E}
9   Again one tucks into slice of a bakery product (7) BISCUIT {BIS}{CU{1}T}
10 Touching story continues (6) RENEWS {RE}{NEWS}
11 Bigamist in essence said to lack principles (6) AMORAL {bigAMist}{ORAL}
12 Dealing in old coins (8) EXCHANGE {EX}{CHANGE}
13 In deep trouble, Arthur half-heartedly submitted resignation (9) DEPARTURE {ARThUR} in {DEEP}*
15 Pictures from inside a stadium (5) IDEAS [T]
17 I shall recite passage in church (5) AISLE (~ i'll)
19 Dope trying to control mob is abused (9) OPPRESSED {DOPE}* over {PRESS}
22 Premature ending in film's main cause of trouble (8) MISCHIEF {MISt}{CHIEF}
23 Toxic chemical's discharged when abandoned ship capsized (6) P?E?O? (Addendum - PHENOL - {LONE+sHiP}<= - See comments)
25 Not so tough for one during festival to spend time (6) EASIER EAS(-t+i)IER
26 Hire one to sculpt a Goddess (7) HEROINE*
27 Weak displaying sign of being tired in the extreme (8) WEARIEST {WE{ARIES}T}
28 Time to crush doctrine of terror (6) DISMAY {D{ISM}AY}

DOWN
2   Set of snaps from camera finally left behind (5) ALBUM {c...rA}{L}{BUM}
3   Crossing a lake from one country to another country (7) AUSTRIA AUSTRalIA

4   Euro and Mark: similar in value? (8) EQUALITY {E}{QUALITY}
5   When a bowler's not included for no obvious reason (2,3,4,2,1,3) AT THE DROP OF A HAT [CD]
6   Novice's dynamic, superseding Bishop in clergymen's office (6) CURACY Anno pending (Addendum - {CU(-b)}{RACY} - See comments)
7   Rope's length often wasn't three feet (7) LANYARD {L}{wAsNt}{YARD}
8   Belittle individual receiving degree after degree? (9) DOWNGRADE DOWN{GRADE} Anno pending (Addendum - {D}{OWN}{GRADE} - See comments)
14 Reject lie fabricated by China about India-Bhutan border (9) ELIMINATE {ELI}{M{In...aN}ATE} (Correction - {ELI}*{M{I}{b...aN}ATE} - See comments)
16 Willing as usual to cut soft grass (8) PREPARED {P}{RE{PAR}ED}
18 Indian city that's right now not favoured in a relative sense (7) LUCKIER {LUCKnow}{IE}{R}
20 Variety of glasses with unlimited view (7) SPECIES {SPEC{vIEw}S}
21 Run through article without reading? (6) PIERCE {PIE{R}CE}
24 Game over, in other words the end (5) OMEGA {GAME+O}*

GRID

No 12088, Thursday 17 Aug 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS
1   Group engaged in blatant ribaldry (6) TRIBAL [T]
5   Rough old lady’s old man not popular (8) GRANULAR {GRAN}{popULAR}
9   Circumspect about motorists receiving high-octane fuel (7) CAREFUL {CAR}{FUEL*}
10 Release a French crook? (6) UNHOOK {UN}{HOOK}
11 Ate bread, sandwiches very quickly, for example (6) ADVERB {V} in {BREAD}*
12 Long time for tiny tree to mature (8) ETERNITY*
13 Trimmed essentially to get rid of long facial hair (9) MOUSTACHE {triMmed}{OUST}{ACHE}
15 Record breaking act by left winger for Arsenal (5) DEPOT {D{EP}O}{lefT}
17 Leads provided to get contracts (5) DEALS*
19 Air powered pressure unit, came as ordered (9) PNEUMATIC {P+UNIT+CAME}*
22 A leading position in vehicles for travellers’ groups (8) CARAVANS {CAR{A}{VAN}S}
23 Expel gangster disguised as old man (6) EXHALE {EX}{H{AL}E} 'as'?
25 Female's brief version is that man had groped (6) FISHED {F}{IS}{HE'D}
26 Stone, when it breaks is called rock! (7) AGITATE {AG{IT}ATE}
27 School canteen having right of admission? (8) ENTRANCE {R} in {CANTEEN}*
28 Beating both sides best team picked up prize (6) ESTEEM {bESt}{TEEM}(~team)

DOWN
2   Bolted door at back of house after old men depart (5) RACED {dooR}ACED Anno pending (Addendum - {RACE}{Door} - See comments)
3   Locals needing hands to carry last of wine casks (7) BARRELS {BAR{R}{winE}{L}S}
4   Rescue vessel if able to, when shipwrecked (8) LIFEBOAT*
5   Fair to offer jerk costly parting gift? (6,9) GOLDEN HANDSHAKE {GOLDEN} {HAND}{SHAKE}
6   People supporting a copper's judgement (6) ACUMEN {A}{CU}{MEN}
7   Upset when huge inn is dismantled (7) UNHINGE*
8   If orator's incoherent next individual makes stronger argument (1,8) A FORTIORI {IF+ORATOR}*{I}
14 Magic potion requires time to show performance (9) OPERATION {ERA} in {POTION}*
16 See rising trend to go outside university in Christmas season (8) YULETIDE {EL{U}Y<=}{TIDE}
18 Restriction placed round a woman exhibiting skin (7) LEATHER {LE{A}T}{HER}
20 Hat worn with skill transversely (7) ATHWART  {HAT}*{W}{ART}
21 Crime boss slightly unwell gets reprieve (6) PARDON {PAR}{DON} Anno pending See comments
24 Fail in educational institution having little interest in subject (5) LIEGE {I} in {colLEGE} Fail= No pass = No col

GRID

No 12059, Friday 14 Jul 2017, The Phantom

Struggled through this today. Still have some Annos pending.

ACROSS
1   Panted with rapidity, losing energy after first half of game (6) GASPED {GAme}{SPeED}
5   General with abdominal pain admitted in hospital (8) CATHOLIC {AT}{H} in {COLIC} This defintion is new to me
9   Procedure to cut circle in a roof to accommodate chimney reviewed (7) FORMULA {A}{LUM}{ROoF}<= Had to Google for the Chimney.
10 Very impatient, beginning to break into run to get transport (6) RAVISH {V}{Im..t} in {RASH} Is this defintion acceptable? Run/Rash?
11 Shed didn’t open till son’s unlocked it (6) SLOUGH  Anno pending (Addendum - (-p+s)SLOUGH - See comments)
12 Generally being short-tempered is a source of adverse reaction (8) ALLERGEN GENERALLy*
13 Leisure activities at home setter's devised (9) INTERESTS {IN}{SETTERS}*
15 Upset, spending hours in slum (3,2) GET TO GhETTO
17 A ball that’s reversed declared as wide (5) BROAD {A}{ORB}<={D}
19 Leader of octet charters transport for band (9) ORCHESTRA {Oc..t}{CHARTERS}*
22 Men going out often leaving their divisions (8) CHAPTERS {CHAPS} over {ThEiR}
23 Last batsman about to depart trapped for zero (6) NAUGHT {b...aN}{cAUGHT}
25 Aisle designed with degree of convenience, perhaps (6) LADIES {AISLE+D}*
26 Shops for latest designs (7) INFORMS {IN}{FORMS}
27 Apprentices of Spanish origin seen during performances (8) STUDENTS {DE} in {STUNTS}
28 Nurse got tip in advance to attend (6) LISTEN {LIST}{EN}

DOWN
2   Nasty ULFA militant enslaved women (5) AWFUL {W} in {ULFA}*
3   Each gas generates odour (7) PERFUME {PER}{FUME}
4   Girl expressing dislike during meeting with lover not showing affection (8) DAUGHTER {DA{UGH}TE}{loveR} Reverse engineered anno
5   Strict care is exercised to promote tea's qualities (15) CHARACTERISTICS {CHA}{STRICT+CARE+IS}*
6   Kick out everyone turning bad when in power (6) THRILL THR{ILL} Anno pending (Addendum - THR(-all+ill)ILL - See comments)
7   Notice with regret lines of the face (7) OBVERSE  {OB}{VERSE} Anno for OB not clear See comments
8   Inert cop's roused by official (9) INSPECTOR*
14 Way to lay another road (5-4) NORTH-EAST {ANOTHER}*{ST}
16 Obliged to fill Hydrogen in container — fuel that saves energy (8) THANKFUL {T{H}ANK}{FUeL}
18 Building ideal houses, parks as claimed (7) APPLIED {PP} in {IDEAL}*
20 Without question rust is damaging for jets (7) SQUIRTS {RUST+IS}* around {Q}
21 Dull seminar by speaker (6) LESSEN (~lesson)
24 Punish having crossed limits of speed (5) HASTE cHASTEn

GRID

No 12032, Tuesday 13 Jun 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS
8   Complained vehicle’s speed crossed safe limits (6) CARPED {CAR}{sPEeD}
9   A group of East Europeans carries black tumblers (8) ACROBATS {A}{CRO{B}ATS}
10 Ran around corner beaten (8) STRAPPED {S{TRAP}PED}
11 Small evergreen shrub providing cover (6) SHEATH {S}{HEATH}
12 Undergarments made from fibres (6) BRIEFS*
13 Bitter drink brought back son's misery (8) SOURPUSS {SOUR}{SUP<=}{S}
15 Cafeteria's temperature gets cooler before evening (7) CANTEEN {CAN}{T}{EEN}
17 Discarding the old rule at cricket ground for dismissal? (7) REMOVAL {theoREM}{OVAL}
20 Quiet place by shed to the left, for recreation break (8) PLAYTIME {P}{LAY}{EMIT<=}
22 Determined to train overcoming resistance (6) STURDY {STU{R}DY}
23 Hotel’s serving tea to native (6) INNATE {INN}{TEA*}
25 Hear test is conducted for auditoriums (8) THEATRES*
26 Engaged partners to attract new sponsors (8) FINANCES {FI{N}ANCES}
27 Plan reflects reporter's shortcoming (6) DEVICE {ED<=}{VICE}

DOWN 
1   Bugs Bunny's first production broadcast endlessly all around (8) BACTERIA {Bu..y}{ACT}{AIREd<=}
2   Pane partly damaged on the outside (10) APPARENTLY*
3   Chooses fizzy soda over port (6) ADOPTS {ADO{PT}S*}
4   Extremely difficult for bowler to save runs when basic skill's absent (7) HARDEST {HA{RiDES}T} Anno not clear With help from Ramesh
5   Parcels regularly tested for heaviness (8) PRESSURE {PaRcElS}{SURE}
6   Experienced guy scores century (4) ABLE cABLE
7   Position Indians immediately on top (6) STATUS {STAT}{US}
14 Document describes channel one as being profitable… (10) PRODUCTIVE {PRO{DUCT}{1}VE}
16 …therefore not hard to receive fund from bank (8) EMINENCE {hE{MINE}NCE}
18 Interview spectators (8) AUDIENCE [DD]
19 Liberal's inclination to carry English daily (7) LEFTIST {L{E}{FT}IST}
21 Pulse is fast and at fifty-one rising (6) LENTIL {LENT}{LI<=}
22 Small returns, yet Bill's invested in firm (6) STEADY {S}{TE{AD}Y<=}
24 Partly open letters Maharajah's got back (4) AJAR <=

GRID

No 12006, Saturday 13 May 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS

8 Auditor’s unfinished curriculum (6)  COURSE {~COARSE}
9 Nick revolts displaying sheer hatred (8) LOATHING {GAOL<=} around {THIN}
10 Son trying hard to catch a fish (8) STING RAY {S}+{TRYING*} around {A}
11 A sports arena’s approach… (6) AVENUE {A}{VENUE}
12 … passage from left entering into grounds (6) CLAUSE {C{L}AUSE}
13 Crime is minor yet illegal (8) ENORMITY {MINOR+YET}*
15 Rhythm's irregular in dance nowadays (7) CADENCE  {DANCE*}{CE}
17 Coating after a little time, not very dull? (7) TARNISH {T}{vARNISH}
20 American to introduce Bill as one with National Trust (8) ACQUAINT {AC}{QUA}{I}{NT}
22 Will lady carry pen around for promotion? (6) LEGACY {L((-ad)+(CAGE<=))Y}
23 Warning about mine, that’s abandoned (3-3) TIP-OFF {PIT<=}{OFF}
25 Members gathering around washroom, note dropping undergarments! (8)  BLOOMERS {meMBERS*} around {LOO}
26 Routine for staff to drop bitumen in cart (8) HABITUAL {HA{BITUmen}AL} Haal is cart ?
27 Kindle smuggled in foreign items (6) IGNITE (T)

DOWN

1 Bread with mould rejected, volunteers getting sick (8) TORTILLA {ROT<=}{T{ILL}A}

2 Architectural style bowled over aunt in Australia (3,7) ART NOUVEAU  {A{OVER+UNIT*}U}
3 Standing order disallowed credit for Greece (6) DEGREE {DE((-cr)+(GR))EE}
4 Amateur left in bad mood creating minor scene (7) PLAYLET {P{LAY}{L}ET}
5 A throw with acceleration ricochets following usual geometrical shape (8)  PARABOLA {PAR}{A+ LOB+A<=}
6 What goes into say revolutionary product from milk? (4) GHEE {E{EH}G}<=
7 Slight alteration in units about length (6) INSULT {UNITS}* around {L}
14 Crew and its union repressed by Times’ board (10) MANAGEMENT  {MAN}{{AGE}{MEN}{T}} Times=Age & T
16 Hairdresser’s style suitable for all, officer included (8) COIFFEUR {U+OFFICER*}
18 Care for harassed city user … (8)  SECURITY {CITY+USER*}
19 … short, fat having left unshaven (7) STUBBLY {STUBB{L}Y}
21 Leaving base, go up by chopper for summit (6)  CLIMAX {CLIMb}{AX}
22 John's relative is being included (4-2) LOOK-IN {LOO}{K-IN} Chance for being included ?
24 Sad news as King's killed in revolution (4) OBIT {OrBIT}

Reference list

Son=S, Left=L, Nowadays=CE, Very=V, Bill=Ac, As=Qua, One=I, National Trust=NT, Promotion=Ad, Note=Me

Volunteers=TA, Australia=Au, Credit=Cr, Greece=Gr, Acceleration=A, What=Eh, Say=Eg, Length=L, Suitable for all=U, Time=Age, Time=T, John=Loo, Relative=Kin, King=R

Color/Font Scheme

Definition, Solution, Component letters, Embedded links, Anagram Indicator, C/C indicator, Reversal Indicator, Hidden word Indicator, Letter Pick indicator, Deletion Indicator, Homophone Indicator, Movement Indicator, Positional Indicator, Substitution, Indicator, Link/Connector, Extraneous

GRID

No 11982, Saturday 15 Apr 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS

8   Caught one at leg-gully (6) CANYON {C}{ANY}{ON}
9   Strange reaction after one becomes chemically unreactive matter (5,3) INERT GAS {I}{STRANGE}*
10 A missing supplement found in measure of sugar (8) DEXTROSE {D{EXTRa}OSE}
11 I love to eat after one (6) IODINE {I}{O}{DINE}
12 What redneck's harbouring is ill-will (6) HATRED (T)
13 Leaving out a form of exercise? (8) SKIPPING (DD)
15 Nothing paid for with permission (7) ALLOWED {ALL}{OWED}
17 Enraged, in other words provoked (7) ANGERED {ENRAGED*}
20 Bottle of jam (8) PRESERVE (DD)
22 Excellent lodges being regularly chosen for meeting (6) PLENUM {PL{bEiNg}UM}
23 Carpet currently not available, I felt a tad upset (6) TATAMI {{I}{MAT}{A}{Tad}}<=
25 Being courteous European carries Italian lady's coat (8) POLITELY {POL{IT}E}{LadY}
26 Travellers by trains often accommodated by brokers? (8) TOURISTS {TOU{tRaInS}TS}
27 Common sense, idiot possesses perhaps? Just the opposite! (6) SANITY {SA{NIT}Y}

DOWN

1   Opening batsman at sea, beaten by delivery in this game? (8) BASEBALL {Batsman}{SEA*}{BALL}
2   Cryptic from earliest "Times" found in setter's grave! (10) MYSTERIOUS {MY}{S{Times}ERIOUS}
3   Modern path to progress (6) INROAD {IN}{ROAD}
4   Complaint got from seaside resorts (7) DISEASE {SEASIDE}*
5   Mockery of judgement to include right for crooked leader (8) DERISION {DE(-c+R}ISION}
6   Con missing the last piece of jewellery (4) STUD {STUDy}
7   About a gunner at heart working for artillery (6) CANNON {C}{A}{guNNer}{ON}
14 Avoiding pressure can girl hide, at no time returning? (10) PREVENTING {P}{NEVER<=}{TIN}{G}
16 The oldest ateliers were different (8) EARLIEST{ATELIERS}*
18 Oriental character gets fair treatment (8) EQUALITY {E}{QUALITY}
19 Fairly loud base during audition creates disturbance (7) TEMPEST ? (Addendum - {TE{MP}{E}ST} - See comments)
21 Warrant for arresting leader of mutiny (6) REASON {tREASON}
22 Oil's processed in Philippines to get wax (6) POLISH {P{OILS*}H}
24 A worry when men fall out of line (4) AWRY {A}{WorRY}

GRID

No 11955, Wednesday 15 Mar 2017, The Phantom

There seems to be a theme in the CW, but I can't seem to put a finger to it!

ACROSS
1   Grab drink to overcome sleep (4,2) SNAP UP {S{NAP} UP}
5   Brilliant engineer designed rectifier (8) TERRIFIC {ReCTIFIER}*
9   Row during telephone call leads to yelling (7) ROARING {R{OAR}ING}
10 Small dog for example, that's chewing bone (6) PETITE {PET}{I{T}E}
11 Remote controlled shooting star! (6) METEOR*
12 Can girl take break even during lessons? (8) TRAINING {T{bReAk}IN}{IN}{G}
13 Retired secretary's helping to distribute (9) APPORTION {PA<=}{PORTION}
15 Broadcast one made for the press (5) MEDIA {1+MADE}*
17 Bird cages exist in this part of China (5) TIBET {TI{BE}T}
19 First two seats available in theatre's opening show (9) REPRESENT REPRE{SEats}N{Th...e} Anno pending (Addendum - {REP}{RE{SEats}NT} - As per Mr Walker)
22 A wire is first tied all around climbing plant (8) WISTERIA {A+WIRE+IS+Tied}*

23 Dazed young woman pinched by unpopular guy (6) GLASSY {LASS} in {GuY}
25 Boredom means primarily being inactive after a little time (6) TEDIUM {Time}{mEDIUM}
26 Overjoyed on ship to get sauce (7) KETCHUP {KETCH}{UP}
27 Soldiers in pursuit, failing to get renegade (8) DEFECTOR {DEFECT}{OR}
28 This place's tranquillity captivates men (6) RESORT {RES{OR}T} Semi&lit

DOWN
2   Take care of sister (5) NURSE [DD]
3   Doctor under pressure to withdraw notice for dummy medicine (7) PLACEBO {P}{LACE}{OB<=}
4   Appeal in monastery to get precedence (8) PRIORITY {PRIOR{IT}Y}
5   Drunk guy's struggle to go round like one outstanding acrobat! (9,6) TIGHTROPE WALKER {TIGHT}{ROPE} {WA{LiKE}R}
6   Repeat performance by upcoming amateur (6) REPLAY {REP}{LAY} (Correction - {PER<=}{LAY})
7   Edgy after batting gets tough (7) INTENSE {IN}{TENSE}
8   Firm charged one for design (9) INTENTION {INTENT}{ION}
14 Gripe about including corrupt for special treatment (9) PRIVILEGE {PRI{VILE}GE*}
16 Officer training the regiment's leader to be smarter (8) BRIGHTER {BRIG}{THE*}{Re...t}
18 Weave fishing net near port (7) ENTWINE {NET*}{WINE}
20 Schoolgirl's received high English scores (7) SLASHES {H}{E} in {LASS}* (Correction - {S}{LAS{H}{E}S} - See comments)
21 Encourage sport as part of drill (6) PROMPT {P{ROMP}T}
24 Excellent meal consumed silently (5) SUPER SUPpER

GRID

No 11905, Monday 16 Jan 2017, The Phantom

ACROSS

1. Sturgeon's roe are carried by Vicar for seasoning (6) CAVIAR (Are + VICAR)* 

5. Fight hard to control radically mad criticism (8) BADMOUTH (MAD)* in BOUT H

9. Radical part of periodical reviewed by master's reading of correct rules of language (7) GRAMMAR {MA(R)G}<=(MA)R

10. Takes care of new contracts when purchase head leaves (6) NURSES N {(-P)URSES}

11. Plot to trap rebel soldiers during retreat (6) DESIGN (GIS)<== in DEN

12. Popular officer leading current team trained to be the best (8) ULTIMATE U(LT)(I)(TEAM)*

13. Duplicate papers a client generated (9) IDENTICAL (ID)(A CLIENT)*

15. Making one's debut finally – that's a beginning (5) ONSET (ONES + debuT)*

17. Display class with poise (5) SPORT (P) in SORT

19. To kill time (read basically whiling away time) (9) ERADICATE (ERA) {DIC(-T)ATE}

22. Hack into intelligence network without rules of judgment (8) CRITERIA {(-W)RITER} in CIA

23. Hurt resulting in sprains ultimately (6) INSULT (T)

25. Definitely rude when European butts in (6) SURELY {SUR(E)LY}

26. Girl's girdle covering bit of tiny innerwear (1-6) G-STRING G' STRING (Addendum - {G-'S}{T}{RING} - See comments)

27. Punishment dramatized in "Scene ten" (8) SENTENCE (SCENE TEN)* Please note use of Dramatized as anagrind :)

28. Pastry by man from Copenhagen (6) DANISH (DD)

DOWN

2. Fight and run into a fit of shivering? (5) ARGUE R in AGUE

3. Object to a pin up of European (7) ITALIAN (IT)(A)(NAIL)<==

4. For example 3's spasm is imaginary (8) ROMANTIC (ROMAN)(TIC)

5. Notoriously dangerous area but Admiral Green's well-prepared (7,8) BERMUDA TRIANGLE (BUT ADMIRAL GREEN)*

6. Pledge to keep working in court (6) DONATE (ON) in DATE

7. A Roman's replaced one who rows a boat (7) OARSMAN (A ROMAN'S)*

8. Nurse losing heart during proposed surgery (9) TREATMENT (TREAT){ME(-A)NT}

14. Digression put reader off (9) DEPARTURE (PUT READER)*

16. Recognised glove dead criminal carried (8) ADMITTED (MITT) in (DEAD)*

18. About to consider retirement (7) RETREAT RE TREAT

20. Copper ring used during climb to support (7) CUSHION CU{SHI(O)N}

21. Carbon mixed with yellow for boy's pencil (6) CRAYON {CAR(-B)ON + Yellow}*

24. Washrooms having "Gents" initially as symbols (5) LOGOS G in LOOS

GRID

Legend : Definition; Letters in word play; Indicators (anagrams, containment, removal/addition); Solution