CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

2. It is dug out and planted with explosives (5)

5. Part of a lamp necessary to Warwickshire (4)

7. It is as old as a pike can be (4)

8. Having stuck fast in the reed, softened one’s attitude (8)

9. RM perhaps providing the school with time off (4-4)

11. They get doffed if one tells a better story (4)

12. The setter observes duties from 4-6 and 6-8 (3,3,7)

15. Be after rating with a clergyman in France (4)

17. Title may be given to revolutionary who strewed paper about (8)

19. The principal bit of country that juts out to sea (8)

21. A nip that could hurt one (4)

22. Gardener’s basket it’s right to haul around (4)

23. An appointment to put to the test on the street (5)

DOWN

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

10. How to fake a patch inserted in the newspaper (5)

11. Secret store of carbon each can supply (5)

13. Is as brave as a lady’s-man can be (7)

14. Is smoothing things out a bit late in the day (7)

16. Watery top to beer leading to real trouble (5)

18. Hot drink of rum used in thirsty extremes (5)

20. Do some spadework as a taunt (3)

21. Is this the shot used to sink a snooker ball? (3)