CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 1.

Who’d mix beer with me? It’s a local concoction (4,6)

8. Exceptional, but no cat athletic ability (5)

9. Will make hornets smaller (7)

10. Brought in for security near the end of the day in 21 (13)

11. What a cunning snake does (5)

13. Baffle 21’s target (5)

18. Lacking spirit, make a cad kill Isaac (13)

21. A game insect (7)

22. Poe left in two piece for a second time (5)

23. The irritations of a cannon? Yes! (10)

Down 2.

Figure a short month in the past at noon (7)

3. The first lady comes to the Northern Territory for a happening (5)

4. Carl, as lascar, is a doubly troubled rogue (6)

5. Lumberjack activity for carving

(7)

6. A piece of information located in the Bermuda tumbleweed (5)

7. Republic of Granny with a degree? (6)

8. Loaned for a fast repayment? (4)

12. Ask Alan about the North American (7)

14. A fruit type is made for the better (7)

15. Bans the high risers (6)

16. Peter has a go at the larder (6)

17. This clue has its sticking point (4)

19. Asian pottery (5)

20. Material for Saint? (5)