The Cryptic

Liam Runnalls

ACROSS

1. Man buns rile cranky city-dwellers (11)

7. Doctor held a cross ( 3 )

9. Sort of protection for policeman with ponytail? Correct ( 9 )

10. Large band had single in the Top End ( 5 )

11. Plenty of men cough their heads off ( 6 )

12. Members of staff eat here – it’s very light ( 7 )

14. Postponing playing golf in winter? (7,2,3)

18. Joe and Kamala – friends who jog together? (7,5)

21. Relevant feature of cotton top I crocheted (2,5)

22. King banished northern boxer to African city ( 6 )

25. First ever mutant baby’s enhanced digital implant ( 5 )

26. A male cat I lock up since 1945? (6,3)

27. Unnamed mum dashed after missing dad… ( 3 )

28. …dad, in theory, suffered hangover symptom (11)

DOWN

1. One who ridicules sweet coffee, say ( 6 )

2. Computer suitable to enter 50th operation ( 6 )

3. Remove gear during topless mischief ( 5 )

4. Badgers/horses ( 4 )

5. Bizarre annual gift – a type of foot cream? (10)

6. Vocalist broke announcement in Asian country ( 9 )

7. Eat family of Oz character ( 8 )

8. Indeed, Pratchett dumped finale when discouraged ( 8 )

13. Drama teacher in old vehicle? (10)

15. Ump denied ridiculous free ( 9 )

16. Cleveland’s imprisoning ball dancers ( 8 )

17. One Parisian point counter was erratic ( 8 )

19. Hunting trip sees a firearm accidentally ricochet into heads ( 6 )

20. Greeks lead 4 to Germany’s 1. Admit defeat! (4,2)

23. One small business on a Mediterranean isle ( 5 )

24. Quit poker and take up origami? ( 4 )

Thanks to Twitter user @ramki66 for 12-across. To enter our weekly cryptic clue competition, follow the hashtag #Tspclues on Twitter.