CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. A fleeting encounter with a sweeper (5) 4. Touching line from first trawler, gannet gets involved (7) 8. Vast numbers still in – or they might be (9)

9. Copper given the right sort of dog (3)

10. Though smelling sour, do nothing about it (7) 12. Some amateur talent returns, being loyal (4)

14. Is made to measure beryllium on part of the wheel (7) 17. A fold that represents eatables for a schoolboy (4) 18. A poisonous snake that’s a good example of its kind (7) 20. It is the custom and wont of ordinary practice (3)

21. Let Pa get this version of it, which may be Bolognese (9) 23. It may be a blessing there’s no Ibsen in translation (7) 24. Move furtively when left in the flank (5)

DOWN

1. Use the tin bomb somehow in a gesture of revenge (4,4,5) 2. There’s complete agreement with student leader in their club (6)

3. Postpone getting elderly: simply hang around (4,4)

4. It is, in addition, an incomplete implement (3)

5. It smells the withered end of a gooseberry (4)

6. A male companion provides company in rest of a sort (6) 7. It is like a waltz, therefore it – um – changes (5-4,4)

11. He is an exceptionally good extra actor (5)

13. Draws the first of six sailing vessels (8)

15. Get one security clearance to put it on in the cinema (6) 16. Might have quietly dealt with it when covered in metal (6) 19. Is repeatedly to be found flowing at Oxford (4) 22. Something like a beard discovered in a raw novice (3)