CROSSWORD

QUICK CLUES

Across 1. Standard (4) 3. Precedence (8) 9. Witty remark (7) 10. Greek letter (5) 11. Confectionery items (6,6) 13. Easily upset (6) 15. Seasoned sausage (6) 17. Steeplechase (5-2-5) 20. Ambition (5) 21. Item (7) 22. Sports officials (8) 23. Mineral sources (4) Down 1. Slight discomfort (8) 2. Defence (5) 4. Negligent (6) 5. Preparing for battle (2,3,7) 6. Inactivity (7) 7. Period of time (4) 8. Independent minds (4,8) 12. Without vigour (8) 14. Ideal (7) 16. Bombard (6) 18. Encounter (5) 19. Worshipped object (4)

CRYPTIC CLUES

Across

1. Poor Iris, to droop like this! (4)

3. In a convent it gives preferential treatment (8) 9. Saying in the page rim, perhaps (7)

10. The thank you letter one gets from Greece (5) 11. Suckers will always buy them! (6,6)

13. Slightly sensitive? (6) 15. I am unfortunately having to return the sausage (6) 17. Indicate the spot for a country meeting (5-2-5) 20. Verdi's energy (5) 21. Newspaper piece could make it clear (7) 22. They sit outside the courts to give their decisions (8) 23. Naturally, they lack refinement (4)

Down 1.

Feel a bit upset by a trifling annoyance (8)

2. Defence of the absent (5)

4. Misers may become careless (6)

5. Bound to start a fight? (2,3,7)

6. You can't do a thing with it! (7)

7. Period from very early times (4)

8. Apparently they don't require a penny for their thoughts (4,8)

12. Upright but lacking energy (8)

14. An ideal description (7)

16. Faster form of attack (6)

18. Fall into part of the main current (5)

19. A much revered figure (4)