CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

For today’s solutions, text CLUE followed by the clue (eg: ‘CLUE 1 Down’) to 53307 ¤0.60 per sms received. SP Phonovation, PO Box 6, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Helpline 0818 217100

Across

1 Gaining a degree for marks on a ruler, say (10).

6 Sophisticated leaders came home in car (4).

9 Meekness in underwater enterprise (10).

10 Group of performers first to last making trouble in the streets (4). 12 A natural inclination towards grass (4).

13 Quite sour — off colour (9).

15 Put something on plinth, say, for fashionable writer (8).

16 All for novelty with blossoms (6).

18 One goes bare to tan back first (6).

20 At home in that case treat main problem getting out of it (8). 23 Field dummy to boast ungraciously after panic (9).

24 Quietly reticent about submitted story (4).

26 One encountered on the way back from news report (4). 27 Dwelling at home, start to have a little mixed gin (10).

28 Displace to go back around America (4).

29 Learner rebuked about spread out piece of cake (6,4).

Down

1 Blow initially struck in abdomen (4).

2 Losing marbles, they take leisurely walks (7).

3 Get together about North, refreshed and without passion (12). 4 Check rail system with scientific equipment (4,4).

5 So, on the way up catch grim smells (6).

7 One may destroy cross-country runner (7).

8 Interchange spice with feral arrangement (10).

11 Nonsense with pet cuts off paper-holders (7,5).

14 Instrument I miss, coming up on the inside very quietly (10). 17 Suddenly get very big cocktail (8).

19 Artists in underwear (7).

21 Wordplay upset tail-spin of wedding (7).

22 Distort pain of separation (6).

25 Revolting seconds in sung play (4).

Solution to Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword no. 1,262 Across: 1 Rock-hard; 5 Shaker; 8 Tongue-tied; 9 Pare; 10 Free enterprise; 11 Adverbs; 13 Celesta; 15 Red card; 18 Depress; 21 Day of reckoning; 22 Lawn; 23 Capitalise; 24 Defend; 25 Vehement.

Down: 1 Ratafia; 2 Conserved; 3 Hauteur; 4 Rotates; 5 Sidepiece; 6 Apprise; 7 Earnest; 12 Bare-faced; 14 Sterilise; 16 Endgame; 17 Cayenne; 18 Decline; 19 Propane; 20 Suggest.

The Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword Book, with 60 crosswords, is available for €8.50, incl. postage. Call 0860836868 or email glenbower46@gmail.com