GUARDIAN GENIUS 96 ARAUCARIA

[crucifernz]

Hi Geniuses out there
I've battled my way through this for a number of hours with the aid of the lengthy thread on the 'other' site, but have come to a standstill in the top left corner and desperately need assistance next few hours please - 10 hours to deadline, but I'm in the Antipodes so should be in bed about now!
As per the preamble, this is not a NORMAL crossword, but a 'Printer's Devilry' type. There is no DEFINITION or WORDPLAY.
Each clue is a passage from which the printer has removed a word (or words), which is the solution to be entered in the grid; in doing so he has closed the gap and taken liberties sometimes with punctuation and spacing, but has not disturbed the order of the remaining letters. As a further devilish touch he has misprinted five letters in the clues, all first or last letters of a word. Each passage when complete makes sense (of a sort).
Hints rather than answers

1 ACROSS
The lad on baby calf tight (6)
_ _ E _ S _

9 ACROSS
I wouldn't give any of this Tyson ally (3-6)
_ _ G/_O_P_R
First word may be PEG, but I can't any word-phrase that fits.

11 ACROSS
I expect Kate, being grounded (1,4)
_/_R_H
The other site indicates that the solution fits between K and ATE

13 ACROSS
Stags had a feast and the rook (7)
_ _ P_R_O
The only word that fits here is ESPARTO, but can't see where it fits in the sentence

1 DOWN
Key to Close's rally (7)
If Esparto right then _ _ _ _ _ _E
The other site indicates that the solution fits between the second S and RALLY

I know there are sensitivities about helping with genius but have done my best! The toughest ever!

Many thanks in advance

[mullingar]

I can't remember all of this now but the first is split between c and alf and is a name. I think you have something wrong with your letters though. 13 across is Esparto Stags had a feast and the roESPARTOok 9ac splits between Ty and Son The tour de france is just finishing so I must fly

[crucifernz]

Thanks Mullingar. I missed the deadline, so won't be submitting anyway. May just wait for the solution to appear. This was the first Genius to stump me - but then I only started to tackle it on the last day - idiot me!