Cryptic crossword PUZZLES

ACROSS

9 Embarrassed because she’d baa awkwardly (7)

10 Weeps about the small number backing friends (7) 11 Pushing the flags (7)

12 Trifle upset about the black hazelnut … (7)

13 … therefore the French goes after a fruit for the fish (5,4)

15 An old measure of a copper piece (5)

16 Praise for the account allegation (7)

19 A salary to shell-out around half-time (7)

20 I’d leave the US state to get plants of the region (5) 21 The whipping boy, a kid perhaps, is after a second cloak (9)

25 An aperitif, tip off the rascal, it’s almost dry (7)

26 Believed Edward contained the corrosion (7)

28 A building to de-ice if disposed (7)

29 Go on the rampage when the little squirt circles the Brazilian port (3,4)

DOWN

1 To romp with the doctor in the detention centre (6)

2 The 1980s investigator gets the gun (6)

3 Starts to turn heads with top class ethnic food (4)

4 Slow movement for a comical person I love (6)

5 They mock the strongbox on board (8)

6 Prayer I have for the commune (10)

7 Pleasant as barley head in beer (8)

8 Mentioned before, a sad test unfortunately (2,6)

14 Straight as a nail and very tidy (4,2,1,3)

16 Moved emotionally by those who are pretentious (8) 17 The dog is onto the guys holding one Chinese dish (4,4)

18 The shells are a long way around one ship (8)

22 Flowers in the Easter Show (6)

23 Get the better of the dated comedian (6)

24 So far two heartlessly go out together (2,4)

27 Start to unpack the last of our green glass pots (4)

WIN

A $50 gift card goes to the first correct entry opened for Barbara Brown’s Weekend Prize Crossword. Send it in an envelope with your name and address to Your Weekend Prize Crossword, Stuff, PO Box 6341, Wellesley St, Auckland 1141 or email answers to cryptic@stuff.co.nz. The competition closes at noon on Friday and the solution will be published next week. Winner of the $50 voucher for crossword 657 on April 28 is Richard Hinderwell from Plimmerton. Congratulations, Richard.