CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
ACROSS
7 Rough criminal started out unprepared (5) 8 Hospital workers had to sort out false information (9) 10 Do a good turn to an animal, initially, like a large lizard (6) 11 May express surprise about Spring, in good condition (4,4) 12 Firm centre developed with modern building material (8) 13 Deviate from Virginia, on track in the end (4) 15 Irons out empty volume first in translation (7) 17 Cut back, as it came up casually in conversation (7) 20 Leaders from America respect European food (4) 22 For each issue, a leading lady can be familiar (8) 25 It set one up with a small piece of meat (8) 26 To find out how to add seasoning, look over two pages (6) 27 Strong punches made by farm workers (9) 28 Deserve to take part in some ritual observance (5)
DOWN
1 Intimidated old soldier in front of a little boy (9) 2 Needed loans in to make progress before top stockbroker (8) 3 With little credit, had to be capped (7) 4 Tripped up on a hill, at a higher level (4,4) 5 Would a small calf take longer to cross the field? (6) 6 Transacts some business in the trade, also (5) 9 Is about to have a gym lesson. Up to a point (4) 14 Agree mine could be redeveloped to house wild animals (9) 16 Not only catch up the others, but go ahead of them (8) 18 Moved to action at some stage, and supplied missing words (8) 19 It seems that a top player can bear fruit (7) 21 It might turn into a mess, in a way, but take it for granted (6) 23 Was covered up, we’re told, to be transported (4) 24 Is in favour of a final try to launch a sudden attack (5)
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