CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 1 & 23ac.

Scoring maximum points in the night spot competition is on the cards (3,3,2,5)

4. Piecemeal picture from Formosa I. crafts (6)

9. Knarl-owl was an outright smarty pants (4-3)

10. A number was there (5)

11. Perfect, my turn after I won the cut? (5)

12. It’s out, brutalised, and long lasting (7)

13. Country full of bores we hear (5,6)

18. Meet Len for component basis (7)

20. Some deterioration occurs in crude cayenne pepper (5)

22. The teacher is a trout! (5)

23. See 1

24. Old fire, it is reported, will die out (6)

25. Ski long and lively off mountain, initially (6)

Down

1. Deceive about snakebite with no BSE (4-2)

2. We’re away and came by ‘orse said the Cockney (5)

3. Decorative dress by Paul in the back support (7)

5. The libretto’s story is about a water creature returning (5)

6. Cob ear I eat for exercise (7)

7. Embroidery work was inhumane we hear (6)

8. Shotgun type is so identical (5,6)

14. One’s pet can be easy peasy (3-4)

15. For basic revolutionist, dial RCA (7)

16. A boat seat (6)

17. Alabaster gum spy? (6)

19. Sorcerers make a mistake when Cess is out (5)

21. Peasant will lurch about (5)