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 A 23A, briefly, is making excuses in court (6)
5 Tightly hold some eggs (6)
10 Something heavenly with afternoon tea? (5, 4)
11 Circle round famous drummer (5)
12 Fulfil expectations as a lorry driver might (7, 3, 5)
13 Catch horse-drawn carriage after short
dash (6)
15 Travelling by train round capital of touristy region of France (8)
17 Intense anxiety kept hidden by German criminal (8)
19 Tea, say, held by cutlery item? Exactly
right (4-2)
23 Centre-left politician barred local time
changes (7, 8)
25 Extract from saga interpreted once more (5) 26 Four in south-eastern island of Greece, giving
little away (9)
27 Presumably when Saturday’s about to begin,
mate (6)
28 Hidden talent, possibly (6)
DOWN
2 Heading back through village lanes is within the law (5)
3 Country where Ms Colman goes at the start of Broadchurch (7)
4 Sparkling like 11A? (6)
5 English county council leader: he has to take on staff (8)
6 Honest pianist’s companion? (7)
7 Not an IOU letter? (9)
8 Deal with old composer, you say (6) 9 Grilled sandwich, pleasant to eat, though filled with nothing (6)
14 Former PM notably dealt with Irish (4, 5)
16 Understood about ladies being different (8) 17 Girl has technique as a flautist (6)
18 Grant’s drunk on English rum (7)
20 Design for plane that will hold a hundred (7) 21 Spice Girl enthusiast takes the lead (6)
22 Sounds like some coins will get you
something to draw with (6)
24 Monarch’s rule overthrown in Tangier (5)
Quick clues
ACROSS
1 Cover stories (6)
5 Small handheld bag (6) 10 Type of iced
sponge (5, 4)
11 Beatles drummer (5)
12 Pull through (7, 3, 5)
13 Capture (6)
15 Peninsular region in
north-western France (8) 17 Thug (8)
19 Precisely (4-2)
23 Member of Ed Davey’s
party (7, 8)
25 Once more (5)
26 Clandestine (9)
27 Ally (6)
28 Underlying (6)
DOWN 2 Licit (5)
3 Country of La Paz (7)
4 The - - - Night, painting by van Gogh (6)
5 County in northwest England (8)
6 Vertical (7)
7 A vowel’s complement (9)
9 Warm (6)
14 British Prime Minister before
Gordon Brown (4, 5)
16 Noticed (8)
17 Famous bay in western
Ireland (6)
18 Bizarre (7)
20 Forecast (7)
21 Aromatic spice, often
ground (6)
22 Writing implement (6)
24 Period on the throne (5)