CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. No bat is required for such defence (7)
5. It will quietly put one’s back up to make one so thirsty (5)
8. How slowly the traffic moved, or swam (7)
9. Plant disease is therefore to be found on time (5) 10. Party’s declaration plainly seen to come to nothing (9) 12. Fine example showing how she was named when a Miss (3)
13. A pith helmet adapted by poet going east (5)
17. Clay and straw, as used for building? Nutty! (3) 19. Bring criminal back from exit, trade being diverted (9) 21. This may be taken as proof of absence (5)
22. Sob about the remedy, which is not at all clear (7) 24. Gesture to call for quiet when on the mat (5)
25. It will belong to pet, rain as it may (7)
DOWN 1. It turned into mace – be first to mix it (6) 2. Wrench one from the panniers like this (7)
3. Is one, being so fitting, badly suited? (3) 4. Bumps about five hundred ‘No’ voters (5)
5. A phone men use for such strange events (9) 6. For instance, ran about with a daughter of Lear’s (5) 7. There could be a dearth of such intense emotion (6) 11. If something is, one will be putting weight on (9) 14. Around a Greek letter, April may be coming into flower (7)
15. There are lots and lots of such watery masses (6) 16. A cleric who holds me up in order to debase me (6) 18. A pipe that could set a rib right (5)
20. A body of cavalry to show the colour (5)
23. Will almost be a father to a schoolmaster (3)