DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES

Across

1 Highly impractical attempt to sink ball (8)

6 Weak filament housing (4) 8 Teetotal to organise rehearsal (3,3) 9 One hundred in home that’s most agreeable (6)

10 How bounders are caught unawares (2,3,3)

13 Right worker to launch tirade (4) 14 Judge if a set price is about the right amount (9)

17 Odd fate of dairy product (4) 18 No strike in bad year for the agent (8) 19 Surprising result of polishing (6) 21 Call into question when at home, holding male dog (6) 23 Some choose a rival brand (4)

24 Any gin? No. Dreadfully irritating (8)

Down

2 Royal Academy circle is eager (6) 3 Transport is somewhat scarce (3)

4 Hit the mark with funny ending (9) 5 Number are trained every night initially (3) 6 Cuts material taxes (9)

7 Face admitting something wicked when pondering (6) 11 Three fear confusion from now on (9) 12 Where lost souls go to dine; rip off! (9) 15 Vegetable to stick in sheltered place (6) 16 Beginning to love trendy equipment inside (6) 20 Greek letter hidden by secret agent (3) 22 Early opening of presents risky, yet have a little snoop (3)

QUICK CLUES

Across

1 Hurdle (8)

6 The two (4)

8 Picturesque (6)

9 Creature of folklore (6)

10 Stark difference (8)

13 Colin Montgomerie’s sport (4)

14 Small fast waterborne craft (9)

17 Coarse tool used for filing (4)

18 Imploring (8)

19 Serve (4,2)

21 Implant gradually (6)

23 Cut of lamb or pork (4)

24 Process of bringing into existence (8)

Down

2 Gesture to come forward (6)

3 Heavy weight (3)

4 Over the moon, thrilled (4-1-4)

5 Breakfast item (3)

6 Small concert piano (4,5)

7 Multiply by three (6)

11 Military vessel (9)

12 Mealtime plonk (5,4)

15 Priest’s district (6)

16 Dye used for denim jeans (6)

20 Leather-look fabric (inits)(3)

22 Solidified (3)