Cryptic crossword

ACROSS

1 The terrier gets a drink (6)

4 Stay behind with the troubled marine (6)

8 It’s up to bury the hatchet and it’s off to flee (4)

9 Blow counters, they have a bite! (4,6)

11 Group leader dotes terribly on heavy food (6)

12 Meant for an engaged girl (8)

13 They meet to lay to rest the cult (9)

15 Doesn’t go for a girdle (5)

16 The Burmese leader in the dance is a revolutionary

(5)

18 Trying hard for the screening (9)

22 To be stylish, chop a damn alternative! (3,1,4)

23 Responds to the damaged crates (6)

25 Get hold of to give a spiritual healing (3,5,2)

26 Depend on a heartless answer (4)

27 Without difficulty, Yale is refurbished (6)

28 A doctor went first, but moseyed along (6)

DOWN

1 Tidy up the southern guys holding paintings (7)

2 Continuously in an upright position (2,3)

3 Change police (7)

5 Puts into law the different stance (6)

6 Tip off the bear that it’s part of Christchurch (9)

7 A playroom for the medical worker on the railway (7)

10 Just matrimonial prospects get marks in some sports (4,7)

14 Look at the strokes, they can be batted (9)

17 Try to match the bird that’s passed on (7)

19 Mother turns up embracing a friend, perhaps AWOL (7)

20 Annoyed they caught around 50 (7)

21 I leave Ireland upset with the weedy grass (6)

24 A month in Capri locations (5)

WIN

A $50 gift card goes to the first correct entry opened for Barbara Brown’s Weekend Prize Crossword. Send it in an envelope with your name and address to Your Weekend Prize Crossword, Stuff, PO Box 6341, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141 or email answers to cryptic@stuff.co.nz. The competition closes at noon on Friday and the solution will be published next week. Winner of the $50 voucher for crossword 653 on March 27 is Bill Ironmonger of Hamilton. Congratulations, Bill.