CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 A county cricket club holds record: beat Spain, getting favourable reaction (10) 6 A military force backed at a

distance (4) 9 Steps idiot takes in answer for

university (5) 10 Takes part in training loyal reps

at work (4-5) 12 Unprotected fund grew in value

without recognition (13) 14 Broadcast source of malicious lies about old rewards scheme (3,5) 15 May is able to dance (6) 17 Family court proceedings

admitting bishop (6) 19 Quiet ones steal such

mushrooms (8) 21 Guess how film noir may have

been produced? (4,2,3,4) 24 Sail with a king taken in by fisherman’s lure (9) 25 Still at home – ends in strife after breakfast (5) 26 Fat solidified across middle of

cup (4) 27 Brought up to date, way diners

must change (10)

DOWN 1 Whispered comment dismissing

second political adviser (4) 2 Overcome argument against

short question (7) 3 Adjusted pro rata invoice knocking off one zero causes quibbling (13) 4 Shorter able-bodied man serving on game point, about given up (8) 5 Typical vegetarians keeping

produce young (5) 7 Loud rave, sick at heart and

agitated (7) 8 Houses team in new centres

with no end of cost (10) 11 Government action, as it

develops in hardship (13) 13 Supporter has time and gives help on the radio for make-up people (10) 16 Misshapen toes here, and this may be in Oxford (4,4) 18 One complete fabrication

about son’s hero-worship (7) 20 Chains of soldiers holding deer

up (7) 22 Ridiculously crossing borders

for key capital (5) 23 Set fund using odds for stallion

(4)