GUARDIAN CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

(27,905)

ACROSS

1 Main function of church vessel with gold facing (7) 5 Passes thin line through series of linked posts (7) 9 Successive notes on fruit showing side effect of hard water (9) 10 Formal statements from island court received by prosecutor (5) 11 Singular wordplay concocted (4) 12 Cricketing pair in standard firstclass team withdrew (5,5) 14 Type of power US agents tackling annual test reviewed (6) 15 Resilient component of bridge close to motorway (7) 16 Artist’s ‘Old Witch’ in demand (7) 18 Very good south coast resort out of bounds (6) 20 Eg USSR’s renewed purpose when ethnic revolt starts (10) 21 Be awed by sound of German quartet? (4) 24 Earl pursuing several ladies, perhaps of doubtful morals (5) 25 M Antony’s friend, one reversing vehicle behind obstruction (9) 26 Passion finally erupts when Nutmeg’s drunk spirits (7) 27 More than enough from composer, totally drained (7)

DOWN

1 County flags (5) 2 Having differed, our men will need time to get on again (7) 3 Catch consists of plaice,

primarily (4) 4 Down-to-earth couple in pack

unsuited as tricksters (9,6) 5 Modify mother’s offer due to basic

human rights (3,4,8) 6 Left-leaning Tory group, say, turning

up in a bit of a pickle? (3,7) 7 Leading setter’s collected works (7) 8 Curvaceous mimic, learner

in cast (7) 13 Fault in flyers supporting MP

overcome by new technology (10) 16 Accountant set up country’s legal

system, in part (4,3) 17 Grecian urn of lead-free pungent

mineral on core of alabaster (7) 19 Small rock singer bringing

in millions (7) 22 Hairy rebellious Irish broadcaster (5) 23 Western worker’s deficiency (4)