CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Shaped like a die, the youngster one presented to California (7) 5. Not having State backing, monarch concluded (7) 9. Can be dodged by a vacuum, skilled at the end (9) 10. Piece for nine angler found lacking? (5) 11. It shows balance of mystery with ‘M’ (8) 12. Paper size two pints: nothing added (6) 14. He works with wood the fish can penetrate (9) 16. What plough throws up in Cambridgeshire (5) 17. How to plunder the Sappers with hail (5) 19. Tank to put by endlessly with one in the gold (9) 21. Scathing attack, but only a small one (6) 22. It stops one hearing absence of sound, right? (8) 26. Plays he wrote with nib twisted about beginning and end of scene (5) 27. It doesn’t strike twice? Thing is tangled in fish (9) 28. Sweetened the palm of, like being caught in cupidity (7) 29. Studied for each one that’s employed (7) DOWN 1. So stupid for a fool to be given credit in advance! (5) 2. It’s a mistake to be a flower with only half a pair of knickers? (7) 3. To be a sponger and a rotter, for example turning up (5) 4. Where chemist works with Labour speechifying (10) 5. Welsh emblem will not soundly hold water (4) 6. Such as William will vanquish, or conclude (9) 7. Took no notice re doing wrong (7) 8. Come to learn of ghetto RA disrupted with the East (3,2,4) 13. Putting on play-clothing, vinaigrette is more expensive (8,2) 14. Minds give voice when kissing and cuddling (9) 15. Animals leap, then get confused going South (9) 18. What’s being argued sounds like a sneeze (2,5)

20. Flowers alternatively concealed in the Civil Service (7) 23. Compound of trees, perhaps (5) 24. Was furious, having silver but in the red (5) 25. Bit of earth, cold and confused (4)