CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Note businessmen in Montana (7)

5. Playwright’s old struggle to break record (6)

9. Close call with son causing neuroses (4-3)

10. End fuel supply? Is it necessary? (7)

11. Cricket ground doesn’t finish eggs (3)

12. Old receivers call latest suspect on board (7,4) 13. In southeast, a thousand and four avoid work (5) 14. Criticise a Hindu sage ignoring mother’s headgear (6,3)

16. Coach with pony running racket (9)

17. Sort out ordinary trunk (5)

19. Guide hires office, making hot drink (5,6)

22. Not much resistance from old queen (3) 23. German song about drinking with rest (3- 4) 24. Colourful displays or piercing airs (7)

26. Three quarters live around island blow- in (6) 27. Captain’s topped fish (7)

Down

1. A Scot arranged to enlist head office partnership (7)

2. Canned Irishman mangled European language (8,7)

3. Bird partially plumed fl ying up? Not this one (3) 4. Thanks to where pork has been kept, it’s delicious (5) 5. Firm street in NE French city showing stability (9) 6. Turn where river leaves lake (5)

7. Engineers new quirky resource that helps you brush up (9,6)

8. Small room, oppressive, sort of square (6) 12. Discounted man wearing headgear (5)

14. Articulate Anglicans follow part of speech (9) 15. Check for vehicles on edges of terrible hill (5) 16. Hot ingredient imported by rich illicitly (6)

18. Process of diff usion I found in very big bog up north (7)

20. Weapon the Mafia picked up in hotel bar originally (1- 4)

21. Old German fellow with offensive smell (5) 25. Epitaph produces tear (3)