CRYPTIC/QUICK CROSSWORD
Here’s your chance to win a Collins Concise English Dictionary. Complete the crossword using either the cryptic or the quick clues and send it to us with your name and address. Send your solution to: Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.599, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must be received by Thursday. The winner will be drawn from a hat. The winner of Cryptic/Quick Crossword No.598 is Sarah Dwyer, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
CRYPTIC CLUES Across
Across 1 Curtail a game of cards (7) 5 Loose shorts for Black Country team (7) 10 Skilful, having some earthenware left out (4) 11 Our stamina improved in hospital (10) 12 Celebrity swimmer is an invertebrate (8) 13 Rogue gets scar working by a lake (6) 14 A couple of bishops back the old priory (5) 16 Bar’s grime develops into a waxy substance (9) 19 Depressed by fine example of a cetacean (4,5) 21 British country that is lacking anything interesting (5) 23 Work changes into a choice (6) 25 Determination of urban area to follow neat plan (8) 27 Did a sinful performance, being derisive (10) 28 Tiny part of a male animal (4) 29 Escaped great upheaval with the French (2,5) 30 Sweet but fragile (7)
Down
2 Cry when table gets broken (5) 3 Obstruct and bury free movement (9) 4 Leave ship to have one quiet talk (6) 6 Lawyer gets no treaty negotiated (8) 7 Initial stage – small microbes (5) 8 Copying bird language – there’s nothing in it (9) 9 The song the man composed (6) 15 Butcher initially got everyone to indicate writer (9) 17 City gives first prize to actors with nothing (4,5) 18 Happening to be gambling (8) 20 Left English aristocrat a chance to escape (3-3) 22 Viewpoint right for sportsman (6) 24 Land of bargain diamonds (5) 26 Time to rob an online menace (5)
THE PAGE’S QUICK CLUES Across
1 Pare down (7) 5 Nickname of West Bromwich Albion (7) 10 Demonstrating skill (4) 11 Medical facility (10) 12 Marine invertebrate (8) 13 Cheeky person (6) 14 Monastery (5) 16 Perfume ingredient (9) 19 Largest living animal (4,5) 21 Insipid (5) 23 Choice (6) 25 Persistence (8) 27 Contemptuous (10) 28 Particle (4) 29 On the loose (2,5) 30 Easily broken (7)
Down
2 Sheep’s cry (5) 3 Meddle (9) 4 Idle chat (6) 6 Legal practitioner (8) 7 Bacteria (5) 8 Reproduction (9) 9 Song of loyalty or devotion (6) 15 Biro (9) 17 Australian city (4,5) 18 Risking (8) 20 Chance to avoid defeat (3-3) 22 Fisherman (6) 24 Asian country (5) 26 Mythical creature (5)