Guardian Genius 203

[JJ109]

I have finished the crossword and am sorting out the endgame. Each of the themed answers are associated with two different letters, I have eliminated 22 letters of the alphabet and I am left with
IMX and Y
I have one themed answer left to apply 2 letters from these. The answer is "first"

Is there a First MX, or first XM, or XM first or MX first ??
I want the two remaining letters to be I and Y, because if not I've done something wrong!

I haven't heard of any of those combinations with first.

If you can think of any two letter combination that goes with first (but not those 4 letters) then that may also be of use.

Many thanks

[JJ109]

Just solved it - it is First XI (first eleven)

This leaves MY and I therefore know the endgame aswell!

[Neveracrossword]

First XI?I haven't done the puzzle, but have a copy. I see there's Best Team in one of the clues.
PS This could be nonsense, maybe I'd need to have done the whole thing!

[Neveracrossword]

Good, JJ109. I'd left your query open while I went off to look, so didn't see you'd got it.

[JJ109]

Thanks - I misinterpreted the last instruction, and thought it wound be "wiry" but then realised that the two letters should be an "addition" to the word (not part of it)! Hence I have solved it with a different "word".

[JJ109]

I would also recommend this crossword - it is excellent!

[JJ109]

I also now understand the comment "the answer will be surprising" - definitely not "wiry"!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, JJ, I might tackle it later.