CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7 Demolition with a view to stealing? (5-8)

8 Explosive journalist? (8) 9 Lightly play a note to make a recording (4)

10 Sprite turns out to be minister (6)

12 Attack experienced by marsh plant (6)

14 Weary again and withdraw (6)

16 Broken fibre could make a red hat (6)

18 Thunderous applause? (4) 20 Reserve to train a team (3,5) 22 What one can expect from a hospital that’s not too bad? (4,9)

DOWN

1 Happen as forecast to cure me (4,4)

2 Having disembarked a horse ... (6)

3 . ... help in a wager (4)

4 The very last to bring up the majority? (8)

5 It’s not diffidence that keeps him from breaking the ice! (6) 6 Was the photograph brittle, then? (4)

11 Wrongly rate certain valuable hoard (8)

13 Status impossible after taking a seat? (8)

15 I am left to get something brought into the country (6) 17 Take up the summary again (6)

19 Metal in front? (4)

21 Some set up snare (4)