CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 1. Stop apricot going off, one of a bagful (6,5) 9. Catch husband going astray (7) 10. Hands in drink, Scotch perhaps (5,2) 11. Owns ha-ha? (3) 12. Scorn baffling European conjuror’s skill (7) 13. Theatre in Rome backed Caesar for one (7) 14. Runner in Victoria shows some acumen, heading west (3) 15. Head of college doesn’t finish page (5) 17. Capital one’s hidden in piece of furniture (5) 18. In which to find thrifty buyers drink on board (5) 20. Backing west, following sailor’s position at sea (5) 22. Now and then strike match (3) 24. Display moon during play (7) 25. Eccentric genius collects ordinary sort of rock (7) 26. Confine swan (3) 27. Rider is supported by this small bone (7) 28. Convey old queen between church and lake (7) 29. Marshal Ney was ready for what follows Hogmanay (3,5,3) Down 1. Unlikely discovery that’s always being debated? (9,6) 2. Launch Polynesian boat abandoned by Open University (7) 3. Rigid half of hose? (5) 4. Covering part containing small dish (9) 5. Distraught 27 suddenly enters (7) 6. Foreign poet to forewarn Yankee legal authority (5,2,8) 7. Immaculate church seat collapsed (6) 8. Old Greek city state’s role in South America (6) 16. Catholic version of parable about priest’s tree (4,5) 18. Nasty person said to be on the loose in street (6) 19. Tailless bird seen in Cornwall maybe — this one? (7) 21. A medic climbs under guy’s roof (7) 23. Effortlessly see round a southern island (6) 25. Run up hot dog (5)