CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Clue to direct cause of current financial woes (6,6) 8. Helping at home with excellent party fellow (2,3,2) 9. Time for ironing? (7) 11. He fixes equipment that’s broken in China etc. (10) 12. Some marshal forces for 40 minutes of rugby match (4) 14. Brings support to old officials earning £1 (8) 16. Killer punch laid out two women? Show some respect! (6) 17. Daughters embrace a father (3) 19. Bad news in Arabia? Solution emerges (6) 21. It could be made with rare sort of sugar (8) 24. No source for dismal loss of fluid (4) 25. Gossip here: Quasimodo’s back capturing gypsy’s heart? (6,4) 27. Poor day in space station about end of June? Yes (3, 4) 28. Nostalgic gathering in French island . . . (7) 29. . . .en route miles away for spectacular display (3,2,7)

Down

1. Risk Latin in part of church (7) 2. Like rare species, need garden to go wild (10) 3. Caused pollution ... surprisingly fined etc. (8) 4. Sebastian and Valerie are the same age (6) 5. Employed American newspaperman (4) 6. PC trial corrupted PC images (4,3) 7. London terminus almost bulging with fruit (8,4) 10. Present East End area imports rare fancy paper (4,8) 13. Centre of great energy ... possibly ours, we hope (10) 15. Starts to suffer awful depression? (3) 18. Small mass on first of this month? Good stuff (8) 20. Whatsisname’s soon annoyed with 15 (2-3-2) 22. I’ve backed American coach using coarse language (7) 23. Hardy’s friend’s bay (6) 26. Top player announced surrender (4)