THC-crossword thread-7; 5 answers PP till 4 pm IST

[deepakgita]

Across
1 Pitch is good on all sides (6) GROUND
5 Rumble about ruddy monotony (7) BOREDOM
9 Novel of witless Archer ending abruptly in one line (2,3,4,5) AS THE CROW FLIES
11 Content to censor a dialogue coming from the centre (6) RADIAL
12 Small sharp source of light caused alarm (8) STARTLED
13 American's being old having no yen or hunger (5)
14 Rosette I've made out of ordinary paper napkin (9) SERVIETTE*-o
16 Short report of novel, science fiction hit (9)
18 Canvas describing English rule (5)
20 Tar to blacken paving? Fair to say (8)
22 Reflecting on following proper textbook (6)
24 Band showing promise (10,4) ENGAGEMENT RING (CD)
25 Done with mostly breaking limit (3,4)
26 Needle to come to a rest going from south to north (6)

Down
2 Author in a hurry to stop working (7)
3 Outrageous and initially unbelievable forehand shot (7-2) (U)(NHEARD OF*)
4 Remove or drop anchor (4)
5 Arc circling left to right over 100o hot burner (9)
6 Mention about fine monarch (5)
7 Bird going over obstacle in a small stream (7)
8 Married ones nowadays risk failure (12) (M/1S)(AD)(VENTURE)
10 Perhaps free agents do procrastinate (4,4,4) DRAG ONES FEET*
14 Political leader immediately means corrupt? (9)
15 Cold season beginning to let up periodically, perfect to see in a different light (9)
17 Argument with right perspective (7)
19 Insignificant traces of venom in a lizard (7)
21 Past containing gross violent behaviour (5)
23 Aware of local smuggling ring (2,2)