CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

13/5

ACROSS

1. One left almost to arrive with French one in thin fog (9)

5. Make a gesture in a beastly sort of way? (3)

7. Between August 1st and October 1st the Navy will run in Italy (4)

8. Sack the thing bowler uses to feed the flames (8)

10. The sphere of the punter? (8)

11. Nine inches for a pair of oxen (4)

13. Was in a hurry, and got violently thrown to the ground (6)

15. The dung-beetle rating will mark first (6)

18. Block of modelling-wood put back with end cut off (4)

19. Shy at putting it back in the not so long-ago (8)

22. With loving thoughts chap gets it back in grip of fabulous bird (8)

23. White streak down animal’s face seen at Epsom, perhaps (4)

24. Animals generally forsake usual rural beginnings (3)

25. Board an’ bed – almost: enough to supply something to eat! (5,4)

DOWN

1. Fretted, doubled up inside, and got assailed with banter (7)

2. Woman going to reveal something fruity? (5)

3. Something hanging that will disappear in the thaw (6)

4. Ash, perhaps, is something that may be stuffed in the boot (4)

5. Do well to be strictly so-called around the South (7)

6. Get more space between half the team to be victorious about (5)

9. Westminster, say, rating by inclusion of the East (5)

12. Biting what’s sour right in the middle (5)

14. Impediment one might master when about to start matriculating (7)

16. Wager you and I have two directions across the distance (7)

17. Sheep prized for fine wool getting more in a tangle (6)

18. Shoots up a stroke on a stroke (5)

20. Artfully escape, even as dens get halved (5)

21. One who thinks he’s better than man at last? (4)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 1. Dugout 4. Scream 9. Arabian 10. Ewers 11. Loud

12. Grit 13. Tie 15. Look 16. Soap 19. Urn 21. Site 22. Gown

24. Groom 25. Chateau 26. Swears 27. States

Down: 1. Dead languages 2. Gradual 3. Unit 5. Creation 6. Elect

7. Misdemeanours 8. Snare 14. Gossamer 17. Protect 18. Stick

20. Noose 23. Part