THE CROSSWORDS

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 All hands to mow the crop (4,3)

5 It follows the cat back without comment (5)

8 They make up the family accounts (9)

9 Drink that helps to produce a merry evening (3)

10 Has now moved south (4)

12 When father returned by himself the rift was obvious (8)

14 Spirit a priest might conjure up (6)

15 Sally is kind, that is the end of it (6)

17 An essentially boring occupation (8)

18 Coming from an enemy this shouldn’t be believed (4)

21 Firm’s salad maker (3)

22 Spider natural at spinning (9)

24 Breaks support (5)

25 Nurse in bizarre sex case holds out (7)

DOWN

1 Without us being inquisitive is something rare (5)

2 Fish found in creels (3)

3 Turncoat old Roman (4)

4 Performers tore up in disarray (6)

5 One who leaves willingly (8)

6 Complain about a record made for the trade (9)

7 It has wings and flies (7)

11 The bloom of youth (9)

13 They make the least and the most effort on the track (8)

14 A cider’s mixed in a cocktail (7)

16 Disloyal unit I have left with regret (6)

19 Warms up for the opening races (5)

20 This month in Westminster (4)

23 Badly run vessel (3)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS

1 Roman god of wine (7)

5 Elizabethan privateer (5)

8 Large seabird (9)

9 To permit (3)

10 Verve (4)

12 Strive with difficulty (8)

14 Pantry (6)

15 Courage (6)

17 A semicircular window (8)

18 Firm hold (4)

21 Sphere (3)

22 Venomous spider (9)

24 Indian religious ascetic (5)

25 Involve in trouble (7)

DOWN

1 To plait (5)

2 Young of bear (3)

3 Loathe (4)

4 Suave (6)

5 Uneasiness (8)

6 Large American reptile (9)

7 Furthermost (7)

11 South African antelope (9)

13 Record (8)

14 Rocket’s launching (4-3)

16 Formal accusation (6)

19 A gem (5)

20 Rebuff (4)

23 Flying saucer (3)