2-Speed crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

1 Not exactly precise instructions (7) 5 Copper among top brass (5) 8 Strike is a success (3) 9 Did it have people racked with pain? (7) 10 Happening to be an aid to progress (5) 11 Animals one was aware of, they say (4) 12 Censure salesman requiring overall cover (7) 14 Shun re-opening spoilt by absence of writer (6) 16 Agree to take office (6) 19 Applause for each bell-ringer (7) 21 Smash sculpture (4) 24 Competing out of envy in group games (5) 25 Pole — controlled transport (7) 26 Conceit, eg stopping at nothing (3) 27 Strict, but I kit large number out (5) 28 Hard to handle, they quickly grow wild (7)

DOWN

1 Estimate speed (4) 2 No good expected to come of it (5) 3 It is carried off in sacking (7) 4 Removes wool covering (6) 5 Authority for news transmission (5) 6 Suggest work be in other than verse (7) 7 Not this invalid? (8) 13 Finished after record find (8) 15 Getting close — in range almost (7) 17 Furniture given premier attention? (7) 18 Tease tutor about being a fiery creature (6) 20 Sought after, like a book (5) 22 This pigeon might deceive you (5) 23 Lose pace (but keeps warm?) (4)

COFFEE TIME

ACROSS

1 Formulas for cooking (7) 5 Excellent (5) 8 Blow (3) 9 Severely hurt (7) 10 Going on (5) 11 Group of cattle (4) 12 Rebuke (7) 14 Disregard (6) 16 Assent (6) 19 Bell tongue (7) 21 Bosom (4) 24 Rivalling 5) 25 Venetian boat (7) 26 The “I” (3) 27 Stiff (5) 28 Stinging plants (7)

DOWN

1 Scold (4) 2 Damn (5) 3 Pillage (7) 4 Strips bare (6) 5 Trample (5) 6 Put forward (7) 7 Validated (8) 13 Come upon (8) 15 Approaching (7) 17 Cupboard for display (7) 18 Fierce person (6) 20 Tried to find (5) 22 Seat (5) 23 Convicts (4)