PRIZE CROSSWORD
For this puzzle we’ve provided two sets of clues, each giving the same answers. One set of clues is cryptic, one set is quick. It’s a good way to hone your skills, because it gives you two ways to crack the crossword! Two winners will be chosen randomly from all entries (cryptic and quick clues). So whichever set of clues you follow you have an equal chance of winning!
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS 1 Petty officer gets put in place, it’s assumed (7)
5 Husband who has stable employment? (5) 9 A priest shelters sailor in a state (7) 10 New terms in place of worship (7) 11 After act of deception, attract scorn (8) 12 Chew food when touring one German city (6)
15 Terrible paper chase, endless pile of rubbish! (9)
16 Pensioner mad about Queen musical (5) 17 Horse runs, coming up against a snake (5) 19 Mistake what supervisor has (9) 21 Religious festival always accommodating a pious type (6)
22 Group of pupils receiving religious instruction, given by a woman (8) 25 Friendly question doubting my own talent? (7)
27 Intending to make sense? (7)
28 Pulls oxen around mid-morning (5) 29 Give right name in French first (7) DOWN 1 Fancy praline? Not so fancy (7) 2 Writer is Arab ruler’s equal, we hear (11) 3 Vagrant deceived and walked all over (8, 2) 4 Lady brought up English crackers (4) 5 Alcoholic drink is a trap (3)
6 Sort of broadcast featuring away team? (7) 7 Smart chap reorganised military parade (5, 4)
8 Type of powder from dental company (4) 13 University head and domestic employee noticing very little? (11)
14 As much as the going rate can be? (5, 5) 15 Assistant to a politician who might be foreign (9)
18 Safe place in boats at sea (7)
20 Source of warmth as grief spreads (3, 4) 23 A king has a try on Jason’s ship (4) 24 Actor named Richard staggered inside (4) 26 Form of transport broken, almost (3)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS 1 Put forward, assumed (7) 5 Brush (5)
9 State between Mississippi and Georgia (7) 10 Cathedral (7) 11 Disdain (8)
12 Bayern - - -, mega German football club (6)
15 Pile of discarded material (9) 16 Carmen or La traviata, eg (5)
17 Hooded snake (5) 19 Careless error (9) 21 Period following Good Friday (6)
22 Late TV cook, - - - Dickson Wright (8)
25 Of a pleasant nature (7) 27 Sense, significance (7) 28 Tugs (5)
29 Qualify, allow (7) DOWN 1 Less decorative (7) 2 Bard of Avon (11) 3 Treated harshly (8, 2) 4 Lady (4)
5 Tom Collins spirit (3)
6 - - - chance, slim odds (7) 7 Soldiers’ parade (5, 4) 8 Skin soother (4)
13 Not perceptive (11) 14 Road-sign’s number? (5, 5) 15 Ambassador’s assistant (9) 18 Stronghold (7) 20 Heating appliance (3, 4) 23 Ben Affleck’s 2012 biographical drama (4) 24 Pretty Woman actor, Richard - - - (4) 26 Commuter’s choice? (3)