CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

13 323

Across

1. Old fellows step in the wings (8) 5. Hacking cough overwhelms a cowboy (6) 9. U.S. store chain rejected mineral in tree (8) 10. Game over in Maine part of course (6) 12. Some beginners enjoy Irish language (4) 13. Amphibian alarms Dane when swimming (10) 15. Lovelorn Karen bothered to change (6-7) 19. Boxing class where tea’s boiled during bout (13) 23. Phyllis reportedly can start to entertain boor (10) 25. Inspect small container (4) 28. End of day when childÕs unsettled somewhat (6) 29. I have briefly upset Arabs first, causing tension (8) 30. Large property beginning to engage nation (6) 31. Get warm coat in sales perhaps around weekend (8) holidays, even a house in the sun with coffee break

Down

1. Threw out old American tweed we overlooked (6) 2. UFOs spin round constant central point (5) 3. Side second to bottom lacking in spirit (4) 4. U.S. refuse luggage in French station (7) 6. A traveller’s bouquet (5) 7. Cadet up to no good? Outcome could be putsch (4,5) 8. Take manual control or drive badly round Mile End (8) 11. Impetuous eruption (4) 14. Rubbish stolen up around Sidmouth (4) 15. Tribunal’s wrong about final letter: it’s hard to crack (6,3) 16. Three points never seen before (3) 17. Aquatic growth found in botanical gardens (4) 18. Virgin snow here in Fife’s top resort (3-5) 20. How to learn most of Bible in scripture class? (4) 21. Give title to benevolent comic, not vet (7) 22. Lock up young US physician (6) 24. Silly writer climbed into it (5) 26. Young woman’s smart kid in front (5) 27. Paper’s strong suit? (4)