KNF N8P K<8J<I

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Not a shrub seedling but an animal (8)

5 Take a chance on a letter from Greece (4)

8 Runners’ sloppy kiss (4)

9 Fibs that give you the chance to scoff (4,4)

10 Protector superior to the rest (7)

12 Stan holding an article for old Nick (5)

13 Count as relatively insensitive (6)

15 Beat them soundly on a bike! (6)

17 Figures to reform most sinners (5)

18 One sportingly cleaning up the soccer pitch (7)

22 Flier showing anger, notedly, in war (8)

23 Manage to catch the end of a rope (4)

24 Girl got up as a flower (4)

25 Dogs’ masters’ disagreements (8)

DOWN

1 Musical instrument an opera singer takes on (7)

2 She’s out to get in and do well! (5)

3 Pa turns to a friend in dismay (5)

4 Bowl out of the city (4)

6 Was no longer arranging diets (7)

7 The crime of a hard-hearted lad (5)

11 Helps or encourages

someone in a bad way (5)

12 Fish on ice? (5)

14 Ways of showing gentility (7)

16 Rum’s red when spilt with violence! (7)

17 Point to a vessel that’s more modern (5)

19 Has a job in the factory (5)

20 Firm evidence that one can print (5)

21 Period during the winter months (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Big-eyed little animal (8)

5 Letter after alpha (4)

8 Snow runners (4)

7 Complete, 8 Ploy, 9 Starch, 10 Encase, 11 Grit, 12 Restrain,

14 Parasite, 18 Cent, 20 Sprout, 22 Struck, 23 Tree, 24 Nerve gas.

1 Boater, 2 Operetta, 3 Tether, 4 Recess, 5 Epic, 6 Bonsai,

13 Recorder, 15 Aspire, 16 Intent, 17 Ensure, 19 Nectar, 21 Open.

DOWN:

9 Meat-filled pastries (4,4)

10 Comprehensive (7)

12 The devil (5)

13 Numeral (6)

15 Two-seater bike (6)

17 Figures (5)

18 Carpet cleaner (7)

22 White-rumped bird (8)

23 Contend with things (4)

24 Went higher (4)

25 Large dogs (8) DOWN

1 Deep instrument (7)

2 Polish (5)

3 Horrify (5)

4 English city (4)

6 Was in being (7)

7 Felonious burning (5)

11 Aids in crime (5)

12 Food fish (5)

14 Styles (7)

16 Kills (7)

17 Fresher (5)

19 Labours (5)

20 Verification (5)

21 Spell (4)