Crossbar
No 1,553
ACROSS 1 Fine timber at racecourse in
southern England (8) 10 One in retirement at Oldham,
Arsenal and Preston, initially (3) 11 Hare about like a flightless bird
(4) 12 Hands over a couple of additives
to the match officials (8) 15 Did Archer start a top French
race, in short? (3) 16 Multinational bowled over top
player (2) 17 Excellent choice, but not very
often (4) 18 Ventured to read about Dundee,
Derby or Doncaster, at first (5) 19 Implement used when working
with paving-stones (6) 20 Writer started out as a 10 across,
maybe (3) 21 Small firm had to treat management, and supply food to them (5,2) 22 During act, was forced into
running others down (9) 26 Miss out the one in charge on the
rink (4) 27 Lots of people, we’re told, create
stockpiles (6) 28 Have responsibility for a task, so
has to make allowance (10) 32 One left another one at short
notice in ancient epic (5) 33 Old athletics body at aberdeen,
Alloa and Annan, initially (3) 34 Top cricketer hit on side, about to be in pursuit of pleasure (10)
DOWN 1 Major stage race on the Continent, won by Chris Froome (4,7) 2 Deliveries by spin bowler for those away on their holidays (3-6) 3 Runner joined 20 across to dredge the channel (6) 4 International tournament due to be held in Russia (5,3) 5 Performances in the theatre (10) 6 March turned out to have real appeal (5) 7 Is present in the recreation ground (4) 8 Go up with a county team to take over at Sunderland (4,4) 9 About to win international recognition, so go back over old ground (51) 13 Audition held for some Hearts
players (3) 14 In the US, uncle had little energy,
although identical (4) 23 Title gained by some vietnam
exiles, at the start (4) 24 It’ s fantastic to have a danish
dog, for example (5) 25 Girl, in fact, who led national
rankings ... (4) 26 ... and another girl opening for
Salisbury (3) 29 A bit down in south african
defeat, originally (3) 30 Promise to stay united at the
match (1,2) 31 Spirit displayed by some of the
original team (3) Last week’s winner of £30 Love to Shop vouchers was: Joe Taylor, James St, Stenhousemuir. Entries to: Crossbar competition, The Scotsman, 30 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 2HS. The winner’s name and solution will be published next Monday. The Scotsman Publications Ltd employees and their families are not eligible. The Editor’s decision is final.