CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. English servicemen go in to haul up emergency craft (4,4) 5. Cleaners return old gun (3-3) 9. Rough arena for US game (8) 10. Tough problem absorbs snooty show-off (6) 12. It’s used to transport water in brewery (4) 13. German man in Berkshire town ignoring a diversion (3,7) 15. Busy reading on deck, working out where one is (4,9) 19. Someone leading band of 5 wavers (4,9) 23. What maintenance engineers do? Kind of rock (3-7) 25. Old American inspires piano composition (4) 28. A superior brand, sort of brown (6) 29. Protect fences at home? That’s not a hard job (8) 30. Stand close beside river (6) 31. Category of violence involving English increased (3,5)

Down

1. Left in the same place, missing one party member (3,3) 2. Wrong note followed by university in London (5) 3. Mature beef not good at the start (4) 4. Ancestor, wasting energy, creates refrain (7) 6. Round austere bouquet (5) 7. Two prices changed right away, causing steep drop (9) 8. Tom and Greg managed to obtain a loan (8) 11. Elegant US city? Not in the past (4) 14. Cleverly conceal tree (4) 15. Resting place for item? (6,3) 16. Negotiator’s helping self-esteem (3) 17. A hot liquid that’s taken by people in court (4) 18. Recommend barman (8) 20. Typically 12 judges change sides during month (4) 21. Newspaper defending new family’s status (7) 22. Inattentive US general bitten by snake (6) 24. Slip and panic, heading off (5) 26. Film dog in Bedfordshire town briefly under pressure (5) 27. Composer’s icy piece (4)