CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. The spouses may have different views (5)

4. He gets bottled up for his round (7)

8. Got in touch, etc: can’t do otherwise (9)

9. The galaxy, being cheerless, gets slack (3)

10. Flags such officers as carried them (7)

12. Is as fluent and plausible as Labour leader in the Rock

(4)

14. Give new accommodation for her use with nothing (7)

17. That grudging feeling five may have a yen for (4)

18. The chase is on for the cycling race (7)

20. It will perceive sound coming from the artery (3)

21. The red-shirt patriot who took the biscuit (9)

23. Gave direction in the desert around the East (7)

24. Otherwise grips an ornamental spray (5)

DOWN

1. Cricketers may pick week and steer round them (6-7)

2. Being right away from a clear coat, it will disappear (6)

3. With so many stars about, Peg lands awkwardly (8)

4. A pad mother put on table-top (3)

5. Who is to be found in the three-card trick? (4)

6. Is gently disposed to dill pickle in my keeping (6)

5/7

7. Second-choice item following the nearest to the finest

(4-4,5)

11. Come down in a rush on the POWs who may be holding nothing (5)

13. Imputes it to pen-pusher as it’s around (8)

15. Is disinclined for a piece of poetry (6)

16. A heavy fall is extremely good in Australia (6)

19. One will go right as an operatic Prince (4)

22. Looking embarrassed at ball that scores one (3) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

Across: 2. Basil 5. Foot 7. Only 8. Demotion 9. Reversal

11. Deed 12. Public gallery 15. Icon 17. Outlying

19. Immersed 21. Whey 22. Slag 23. Derby

Down: 1. Bandeau 2. Bay 3. Sides 4. Lamella 5. Fit 6. Ozone

10. Ellen 11. Dally 13. Crossed 14. Runners 16. Camel

18. Tudor 20. Egg 21. Wry