CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Sailor first to approve rating (3)

3. One pulling the strings? (9) 7. Terrible din Dave gives when intruded upon (7)

8. 100 on leg of ascent (5) 9. Consecrate first Bible then fewer (5)

10. Learn about Northern Territory light (7)

11. Make certain to follow on right (6)

13. Christie’s express direction (6) 16. Claim he wrote out boy’s name (7)

17. Bird call, we hear, of little value (5)

19. Fixes manicured items (5) 20. Beginning first letter (7) 21. Manual workers drink very easily (5-4)

22. Dash in part of stadium (3)

DOWN

1. Put belt around him and finger protector (7)

2. Look again, we’re told, at satirical performance (5) 3. As President disturbs walkers (11)

4. Quietly leads around cycles (6)

5. Curse live, returning spy (4,3)

6. Superhero’s partner heard to be stealing (5) 8. Can’t get birthing pain? (11) 12. Part of coin set broken (7)

14. Led from top, softly, and overthrew (7)

15. Toni blasé holding-up very fair person (6)

16. Moth around initially November, and December (5) 18. Throw out from home Victor’s part (5)