30-MINUTE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Hold back the majority as far

back as possible (10) 7 Cause to grow rapidly in period just before important event (3,2) 8 In fear, egghead shows

cargo (7) 10 Not wearing matching clothes is not satisfactory (8) 11 The destination of this excursion appears to be an ancient city (4) 13 Be loud identical twin? (6) 15 Delight with entreaties to

European leader (6) 17 Spot Eastern agent (4) 18 Antidote to a bad memory,

perhaps (8) 21 Respect for a symbol of

authority (7) 22 The lowest point of a drain

(5) 23 Draw the line below less

than twenty (10)

DOWN

1 Workers may be shaken in greeting (5) 2 Plan suit for wedding (8) 3 Feel if tower is out (6) 4 Bearing one amongst males

(4) 5 Soaring Italian lady (7) 6 Land reduced without

reason (10) 9 A fifth of the rugby team

get points, 60 in all (10) 12 Bird emerges from circle on

fire (8) 14 Me up ten? More than ten!

(7) 16 If not, Len’s upset in America

(6) 19 Prod German leader in his

birthday suit (5) 20 Inflamed swelling, amongst

the worst yet seen (4)

PREVIOUS SOLUTION

Across: 1 Ups and downs; 9 Insider; 10 Terse; 11 Treat; 12 Centaur; 13 Regard; 15 Repeal; 18 Wastrel; 20 Bantu; 22 Exact; 23 Maintop; 24 Condescends.

2 Paste; 3 Auditor; 4 Down: Direct; 5 Often; 6 Narrate; 7 Bitter sweet; 8 Petrol pumps; 14 Gestapo; 16 Ebb-tide; 17 Climbs; 19 Rated; 21 Noted.