CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Support head boy, for one, showing strength of character (8)

5 Priest had to get there to deliver a sermon (6)

9 Remove a girl’s position in office (8)

10 Old horseman lost out, with some hesitation (6)

12 She used to come out at the end, to join formal discussions (6)

13 Head back in charge of a close-fitting jacket (5)

16 Managed to get detectives by pulling rank (6)

17 Sailors are a bit depressed, and off colour (4,4)

20 Run into a pleasure boat with a large flag (8) 21 The Crown is twice in big trouble (6) 23 Ways of operating to get sitters off line (5) 25 Read about a South American country’s efforts, initially (6)

28 Started to play the ball, having got rid of a bad habit (6)

29 Have the drive to get to one’s ultimate aim in life (8)

30 A principle that will guide one through life, in the main (6)

31 Defenders away from here, acting as a group, refuses to play (5,3) DOWN 1 Make an offer for a lot, at the end, but has to wait (4)

2 About to get ready to exchange things for cash (4)

3 A new Liberal on the move to become a dancer (9)

4 Is close to getting a court, in short, a divine beverage (6)

6 Is about to get ready to receive stolen goods (5)

7 At one time, want to survive, eventually (2,4,4)

8 It can be difficult to get a dairy item. Tough luck (4,6)

11 Award for man getting into the lead in training (5)

14 Line up with a builder to become a seamstress (10)

15 I’d trounced some others after they were brought in (10)

18 Might a cart return with couple to act as a benchmark? (9)

19 Man records cries for assistance (5) 22 One leaves America to turn up in disputed territory (6)

24 Had an episode, throwing a tantrum, at some stage (5)

26 Polished up part of a grain store (4) 27 Tie up measure in the main (4)