thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 It’s obvious the cargo’s listing (8) 5 Novel time piece (4) 9 Pointed reminder of the church’s status (5) 10 Acts as executioner - many teachers want to! (7) 11 The key to a high state of readiness (7,5) 13 Bird calls spoil the speech (6) 14 Light sleep? (6) 17 Spokesmen? (12) 20 Find use in a way that’s inspired (7) 21 Awfully eager to share views (5) 22 Left the last word to the auctioneer (4) 23 It supports one who is lying (8)

DOWN

1 Failed to make contact say in poor visibility (4) 2 Moose in stew is disgusting (7) 3 Finish brilliantly in two languages (6,6) 4 It’s out of town and out of the country (6) 6 Health food (5) 7 Mother’s violent death made a newspaper’s name (8) 8 Items bought to hold items bought (8,4) 12 Milk producer cast outside is glowering (8) 15 No longer bound to deliver (3,4) 16 Game one might come across (6) 18 Mischievous out of self-interest (5) 19 Clue found in a drawer (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Team trial of strength (3,2,3) 5 Run one’s eyes over (4) 9 Suffice (5) 10 To fell (3,4) 11 Person in subordinate role (6,6) 13 Severe criticism (6) 14 Estimate size of (6) 17 Absolute authority (12) 20 Vertical (7) 21 Faint shadowy trace (5) 22 Oven for firing pottery (4) 23 Insincere praise (8)

DOWN

1 Long pointed tooth (4) 2 Article of clothing (7) 3 For nothing (4,2,6) 4 Covered shop-lined passage (6) 6 Mass of spectators (5) 7 Balderdash (8) 8 When seen initially (2,5,5) 12 Misfortune (4,4) 15 Part of serial story (7) 16 Implacable (6) 18 A deep pink (5) 19 Check the advance of (4)

PUZZLE 14812