CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 7677

ACROSS

1. By no means only attending some (3,2,3). 6. Tip to get a table (4). 8. Don’t let go of when you look back (4). 9. You can overcome challanges if you have it (8). 10. The doctor in the end turned out to be the real baddie (5). 11. Pat the oarsman (6). 13. Meaning to get a goal (6). 15. Before swallowing the battered tin whole (6). 17. A tonic for the boy, you say (6). 19. And I squeezed five into the seat (5). 22. Take a good look at the land bond (8). 23. Number the composition, by the way (4). 24. Have the man pop back to get the bundle (4). 25. Perhaps carving one in stone (8).

DOWN

2. Orders a quarter gross (5). 3. A very quiet “Overwrought” you go along with (7). 4. A stop’s to offload the snakes (4). 5. Not having appeared since close of play, we’re told (4,4). 6. Scowl at the word “inferior” (5). 7. There’s someone knocking, but he’s out (7). 12. Locums for dentists? (4-4). 14. Disgusting or not, I have a bit (7).

16. Though badly hurt, I get a policeman in and gain the victory (7). 18. Started smoking when drunk (3,2). 20. The boy coloured up at the word “tree” (5). 21. Set out to have a quiet walk (4).