CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD

Here’s your chance to win a Collins Concise English Dictionary. Complete the crossword using

either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.682, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.681 is James Springer, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

CRYPTIC CLUES

Across

9 Happy to lose first and last contract (5)

10 Moving energy – proposal by a student (9)

11 Impudence, a new attempt to produce courage (9)

12 Bit excited about a large dish (5)

13 Make small movements, being terribly gifted (6)

14 New brakes not available outside state (8)

16 Humble pursuit has time at noon (7)

18 Stalemate that is involving politician and fool (7)

20 Almost pivot crime about spice (8)

22 The privileged classes initially gain access (6)

25 Clergyman working at the chip shop, reportedly (5) 26 Simple boy with key to church music (9)

28 Form of rule hit palace badly (9)

29 Gets closer from one arsenal (5)

Down

1 Shoe gets caught on piece of wood (4)

2 Folk song is fun these days (6) 3 After a few years, book becomes corrupt (8) 4 Insignificant but attractive to remove resistance (5) 5 Country college in sea manoeuvre (9)

6 Shout for some wood (6) 7 Setting out any sails for scrutiny (8)

8 Best lady loses keys sooner or later (10)

13 Between cliffs, in close proximity (4,2,4)

15 Pylons aid distribution, that’s visible (2,7)

17 Look and search for a weapon (3,5)

19 Expecting quiet anger about heartless nut (8)

21 Peru got upset about old English land mass (6)

23 Throat nearly managed to cross chest (6)

24 Grew worried about a bet (5) 27 Entertaining situation, hard to cut (4)