TWO-WAY TEASER
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Is able to appear in a filthy place if there’s not much to it (6) 4 Hardly a mark left when cell is halved (6) 9 Thing that is written in the papers (7) 10 Rascal who grows away from type (5) 11 They move boat from Basra, often in reverse (4) 12 Get weaker and possibly deaf (4) 13 Point on the which one is punctual (3) 15 Consider how a river reaches its mouth initially (4) 16 Seaweed extract from nickel plating (4) 19 A vehicle some abusers use (3) 21 Misfortunes make one sick on Sunday (4) 22 A clown will play around with one (4) 24 Under heat, nitrogen may be dispersed (5) 25 In the wing, tree is used for cleaning (7) 26 Bird that doesn’t finish the water-plant (6) 27 Agreement is the way it was posted (6)
DOWN
1 In which the front-bench op position are seen in silhouette (6,7) 2 Changed the tale spun by a Communist (7) 3 A way to sail that has some point to it (4) 5 Was put in a tight spot but gained a monopoly (8) 6 Is stiff in the way I’d followed the get-up (5) 7 Something illuminating that comes from the main supply (8,5) 8 Part of a flower that unfortunately pales (5) 14 Takes great pleasure in being slighted like this (8) 17 It is made to do something in the future (7) 18 Shines with health, as may 7 (5) 20 In case this should take one up or down (5) 23 Is repeatedly to be seen in flow at Oxford (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Skimped, meagre (6) 4 In very short supply (6) 9 Piece written for publication (7) 10 A rascal (5) 11 Sculls (4) 12 Lose colour (4) 13 A written point (3) 15 Judge, consider (4) 16 Large brown seaweed (4) 19 Public transport vehicle (3) 21 Diseases; misfortunes (4) 22 Ass is a silly one (4) 24 Beneath (5) 25 Cleaning with water (7) 26 Songbird (6) 27 Agreement (6)
DOWN
1 Would-be ministers in opposition (6,7) 2 Changed (7) 3 Sail against the wind (4) 5 Driven into awkward situation (8) 6 Unbending (5) 7 House illumination (8,5) 8 Member of a flower calyx (5) 14 Instances of great pleasure (8) 17 Vow (7) 18 Shines with warmth, health (5) 20 A step indoors (5) 23 Egyptian goddess (4)