DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

No 15,731

ACROSS

1 Work damn busily to reduce price (4,4) 5 Struggle with first lady member of audience (6) 9 Groups of players accept system, but not forwards (8) 10 Female sailor controls a radical underground network (6) 12 Old instrument recently restored to some extent (4) 13 Emaciated rogue, a very short old American (10) 15 I’d backed unhappy very old inspiring worker, deprived (13) 19 Cleaner berates person in tears (6-7) 23 Constant thick fog’s disrupted illegal blood sport events (10) 25 Work with a large stone (4) 28 An adequate amount appeared during the noughties (6) 29 Confront witty person — Jack, for instance? (4,4) 30 Is he allowed medicine at first for disorder? (6) 31 Ned and Cyril hammered drum (8)

DOWN

1 This setter’s a trifle sympathetic, somewhat upset (6) 2 The condition of someone in the saddle (5) 3 Time to see first of dew on top of grass? (4) 4 Pull up, following route that’s erratic (7) 6 Photograph that is impressing journal (5) 7 Hawk, nearer target, closes on first of greenfinches (9) 8 Republican within secures grand place to watch fight (8) 11 Hot material found in heart of cave in US city (4) 14 Man for one is left without paper (4) 15 Bankrupt creditor last to destroy register (9) 16 Very old women’s pledge (3) 17 Party pooper’s error (4) 18 Dessert came with rice that’s ground (3,5) 20 Long view, limited (4) 21 Unfinished Scottish house occupies edges of empty inlet (7) 22 Good story about day on royal aircraft (6) 24 Figure out the result of playing this piece with trio (5) 26 Priest set out and checked material (5) 27 I light up shop (4) PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 15,731, PO BOX 3451, Norwich, NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked no later than tomorrow. Please make sure you enclose your name and address.