CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,639

ACROSS

1 Slash large tree at end of lane (8) 5 With weapon raised prepare for contest (4,2) 9 Calm gymnastics expert, nearly replete (8) 10 Hide worker’s sunbed? (6) 12 They could be evens, paradoxically (4) 13 Pensive yet weepy, having cut ear (10) 15 Mysterious objects seen when bull’s in china shop? (6,7) 19 Like some soloists and minors without parents (13) 23 Stop eating jerk briefly with American that’s fussy (10) 25 Monk’s wool supplier losing head (4) 28 Bizarre conclusion of game on toxic ground (6) 29 Plug project by soldier, senior officer’s aide (8) 30 Clear bed giving doctor advantage (6) 31 King George etc, ignoring old descendant (8)

DOWN

1 What cat does with milk and tablet perhaps (6) 2 Cold tough vegetable (5) 3 Sort of knot that could be dangerous for sailors (4) 4 Make strong enough potty to support tot’s bottom (7) 6 A harbour was breached and flooded (5) 7 If idle men stray here it could be fatal (9) 8 Immobilise a player in distress, grasping top of shin (8) 11 Heading north, astonish fans (4) 14 Go down as stated, working together in this? (4) 15 Paver’s standard weight (9) 16 Local doctor welcomes a break (3) 17 Number one component (4) 18 I left duo wandering well away from wicket (8) 20 Principal state short of energy (4) 21 In pieces, like foreign articles (7) 22 Sailor Brown’s Scottish cloth (6) 24 English books missing from enticing job for decorator (5) 26 Build up a service (5) 27 Polish up new stream (4)