the crosswords
PUZZLE 15612
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Consuming desire (6)
4 Sea-dog in trouble south of Los Angeles (3,5) 9
Dull and weighty field study (6)
10 Late item for the Press (8)
12 Adds up the drinks (4)
13 Having eaten a meal I’d end a different shape (5)
14 Twice reduced by 50% (4)
17 They’re worn after the match (7,5)
20 What the moth does is revealed (5,2,5)
23 A method that’s out of place (4)
24 Guide back to the border (5)
25 Rent to the Royal Navy (4)
28 Continues to make money (8)
29 She was exposed as an opponent of oppressive taxes (6)
30 Use hands to make some protection from heat (8)
31 Remained, having support (6)
DOWN
1 Built-up area of urban development (4,4)
2 Need one tap repaired when the flow is minimal (4,4)
3 Still equal (4)
5 E.g. for example? (12)
6 Tax on goods and service (4)
7 She may turn out to be eastern alien (6)
8 Ill-used sort of tent (6)
11 Unswerving in determination to remain unmarried? (6-6)
15 A bit off the fairway? (5)
16 Gets the one-fifty in time, being nimble (5)
18 Shame! (8)
19 Colours of average quality (8)
21 The academic field (6)
22 The French female is first and last in the pool (6)
26 Become engaged in some sharp practice (4)
27 Crowd entertainer (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Nearly (6)
4 Sudden far-reaching change (8)
9 Intricate muddle (6)
10 Starlike symbol (8)
12 Undiluted (4)
13 Giver (5)
14 A project (4)
17 Many-sided (12)
20 Person’s vulnerable point (8,4)
23 Witty remark (4)
24 Correspond (5)
25 Cunning (4)
28 Definite (8)
29 Forceful energetic person (6)
30 Jet aircraft fuel (8)
31 Behind (6)
DOWN
1 Self-government (8)
2 By hand (8)
3 Soft lustrous fabric (4)
5 Take over-ambitious risk (4,4,4)
6 Equal (4)
7 To no purpose (6)
8 Fondness (6)
11 Dictatorial (12)
15 Seeing that (5)
16 Motive for action (5)
18 Devote wholly (8)
19 Minimise (4,4)
21 Short shrill cry (6)
22 Salted, smoked herring (6)
26 Be acceptable (4)
27 Affirmative votes (4)