the crossword

PUZZLE 15103

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Incomplete sauce-boat (5)

8 Host of parasites seen on the move (8) 9 Experience state reform (5)

10 An energetic group out to make mischief (8)

11 First for love, second for ESP (5)

12 Net return for a number (3)

16 The third one may be a stiff examination (6)

17 Does well, getting about ninety fish (6) 18 Put away in one attempt (3) 23 Solicit for votes in the foyer (5) 24 Surplus footwear (8)

25 Joan’s taken out a golden retriever (5) 26 News read out and justified (8) 27 Fees for periods in school (5)

Down

2 A marked man, perhaps (8)

3 Bob identifies two causes of power failure (3,5)

4 Forms issued when there’s no employment (6)

5 Coming from Lake Nyasa, land further north (5)

6 Bar for drunken poets (5)

7 A gem of a girl? (5)

12 Stand waiting for the driver (3)

13 Trap held by one thread (3)

14 It means raising the subject at the palace (8)

15 Where members of society may meet (4,4) 19 Maintained a five-nil lead over United (6) 20 Such candles have no wick (5)

21 She has the advantage when climbing (5) 22 Middle Eastern plant (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Florida resort (5)

8 Likely to cause fear (8) 9 Cheat by overcharging (5) 10 Gun with high trajectory (8) 11 Essential (5)

12 Pigpen (3)

16 South American country (6) 17 Quarrelling (2,4)

18 Shadowy (3)

23 Confess (5)

24 Ambitious (8)

25 Lukewarm (5) 26 Wormwood-flavoured wine (8) 27 Resolute resistance (5)

DOWN

2 Plot (8)

3 Mad (8)

4 At full speed (3,3) 5 Characteristic (5) 6 Effervescent (5)

7 Tale (5)

12 Sorrowful (3)

13 Sweet potato (3) 14 Loss of nerve (4,4) 15 Totting-up (8)

19 Set fire to (6)

20 Pale reddish-purple (5) 21 Reject disdainfully (5) 22 Small stream (5)