CROSSWORD Jeremy Mutch No. 1,444

ACROSS

1 Detectives in action must be

definite (7)

5 Practices avoided by

smugglers? (7)

9 Drama with writer in children’s

area (7)

10 A friend sure at heart but no

expert (7)

11 Ring and long to express a

view (5)

12 A good example, part poser

(4,5)

13 Notice task gives access (9) 15 The odds on a topless form of

rugby? (5)

16 A little tear? (5)

18 Portion food bit by bit (9) 21 Horse and cart arranged for

musicians (9)

24 Gasp, swallowing one and put

a coat on (5)

25 Unusually verbose head? (7) 26 Trouble from volunteers trapped in a French cottage (7)

27 Fresh offer - it is a sacrifice (7) 28 Watches people after game

(7)

DOWN

1 Official accreditation of

ambassador cut short (7) 2 Headcase? (7)

3 Saddened by title document

impounding newspapers (9) 4 Benefactor and academic with

old right (5)

5 Object to test (9)

6 Small and friendly crowd on the

move (5)

7 Expecting a late delivery? (7) 8 Almost definite advantage, but

no longer needed (7)

14 In a hurry? Time a pint must

be served (9)

15 Former European minister’s

first point fixed immunity (9) 16 Exhibitionist’s performance

cancelled (4-3)

17 Get better engineers to

provide insurance (7)

19 Go and live abroad with no

golf in Dubai, for example (7) 20 Landlords can be characters

(7)

22 Ireland’s up supporting Spain

- that’s weird (5)

23 Put to shame having a go (5)