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No 1671
ACROSS
1 This lot ran off to compete in tough three-part contests (10)
6 Was engrossed in a game before it folded, we’re told (4)
8 Roles reversed when one failed to win the game (5)
10 Granite was dug up to help one national team (9)
14 Close to someone, armed for battle (4)
15 In retirement, say, poetically (4)
16 Do they cut a dash on the track? (9)
17 A passing craze, at the end, may gradually disappear (4)
19 Left-wingers who move at a steady pace (5)
20 Check-up needed before 1 down is agreed (7)
23 He was “the greatest”, in fact, to be realistic (3)
24 Sister started out at Northampton, Ulster and Newcastle (3)
25 Cover old swimming pool, no doubt (4)
27 Foils bid to put a railing round an enclosed space (7)
28 May get an emphatic negative reaction in Paris soon (4)
29 A unit of work suited some like Ferguson (3)
30 Remain with a top Scottish runner (4)
31 Health resort used by some of the top Spanish teams (3)
32 Venue for competition in court down south (10)
DOWN
1 What’s often needed for a player to move to another club (8,3)
2 Two military units may join forces, but not very often (4)
3 Listening to athletes getting into peak condition (6,2)
4 Start to set the odds on popular rugby tournaments (6)
5 May go to practice with a learner. It’s long-established (11)
7 At last, set out to restore some text (4)
8 I’ll have to bear up with a politician (7)
9 Keep on winning in a prolonged spell of good luck (2,1,4)
11 Growth spot could be in danger, in a way (6)
12 With little hesitation, that’s a large stretch of water (4)
13 Sits on the fence, so refuses to take part in a match (8)
18 Warning light defined in Chambers (5)
21 Some educated types could be paid with an old gold coin (5)
22 Is unable to get round with a section of a long poem (5)
26 A foolish fellow may have some drugs (4)
28 Top racecourse used by Accrington, Yeovil and Reading, initially (3)
Dear Reader,
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we are suspending competition entries for all our prize crosswords. Puzzles will continue to appear as normal but no entries will be accepted or prizes given.
We hope to return to normal as soon as possible.
Stay safe!
Joy Yates, Editorial Director