PRIZE CROSSWORD
Issue 301, Date July 3
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 Unusual stamp on letters delivered by him (7) 5 Try to sell substance distilled from tar (5)
9 Swell, working alongside a doctor (7)
10 Unfortunately, sheep knocked over the wine (7)
11 Gather in component parts, making electrical connection (8) 12 Investigators will return these cutlery items (6)
15 Colour of your label, perhaps (5, 4)
16 After a drink, sailor returns for a dance (5) 17 Fellow, one getting stuck in rugged rock (5) 19 Nuts for this game, of course? (5, 4) 21 Quite excited, meeting leader of young actors’ union (6)
22 Touring south possibly unnamed Norwegian explorer (8)
25 Holidaymaker taking a tumble? (7)
27 Pity about Oxford-based inspector (7)
28 School sport (5)
29 Girl and I take shelter in northern region of Israel (7) DOWN
1 Paint picture of harbour with sunbeam on it (7)
2 Understand how to experience religious conversion? (3, 3, 5)
3 Funeral directors give title to Will Smith movie? (3, 2, 5)
4 Call up English chap (4)
5 Accepted standard is disparaged to some extent (3)
6 Café serving more oat crackers? (7)
7 Item of clothing woven by Fred and Sacha (9) 8 Man? The answer’s a bit misleading (4) 13 Conservative beast who likes to have a good time? (5, 6)
14 Communist naval commander, a flighty type (3, 7)
15 Kent location loved by Jane Eyre (9)
18 Meditating silently on article? That’s funny (7)
20 Watch old boy play a bit of tennis? (7)
23 Coward maybe has Trotsky upset (4)
24 Billy the singer is heard to boast (4)
26 Father given yen as wage (3)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS
1 The - - - Always Rings Twice, debut novel by James M Cain (7)
5 Musical frequency (5)
9 Theatre doctor (7)
10 Sicilian dessert wine (7)
11 - - - wire, electrical appliance’s safety flex (8) 12 Greasy - - -, modest eateries (6)
15 Rich azure colour (5, 4)
16 Cuban dance (5)
17 - - - David, musician whose hits include 7 Days (5)
19 Putting game (5, 4)
21 Fairness (6)
22 Roald - - -, Norwegian explorer (8)
25 Tourist (7)
27 Deep regret (7)
28 Six Nations sport (5)
29 Region where Jesus performed miracles (7) DOWN
1 Act the part of (7)
2 Gain sudden insight (3, 3, 5) 3 Film trilogy with Tommy Lee Jones (3, 2, 5) 4 Appellation (4)
5 Score between birdie and bogey (3)
6 Genteel brasserie (7) 7 Garment famously worn by Hilda Ogden (9)
8 - - - of Dogs, London Docklands area (4)
13 Lively type (5, 6)
14 Common butterfly (3, 7)
15 One of the Medway Towns (9)
18 Humorous (7)
20 Comply, or notice (7)
23 Christmas (4)
24 Crow, vaunt (4)
26 Settle up (3)
ACROSS
1 Bishop, 4 Capsicum, 9 Uppity, 10 Boom town, 12 Harridan, 13 Insect, 15 Rats, 16 Up in the air, 19 Des O’Connor, 20 Stop, 23 Rather, 25 Achilles, 27 Conjuror, 28 Popeye, 29 Sisterly, 30 Sawyer.
DOWN
1 Blusher, 2 Separates, 3 Oxtail, 5 Anon, 6 Samantha, 7 Clone, 8 Minster, 11 Carping, 14 Invoice, 17 Artillery, 18 Schedule, 19 Directs, 21 Pasteur, 22 Mimosa, 24 Tunis, 26 Fowl.