CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WIN £500

ACROSS

1 Assistant in team

given thrill (8)

5 Energetic sort in party defending lots after setback (6)

9 Officially announce argument in support of allegation (8)

10 Coax woman to accept exotic lace? The opposite! (6)

12 Always purchase

versatile clothing (4)

13 Inspector overwhelmed by automatic feeling? It’s unclear (10)

15 Penance, I think, in order for annoying sort (4,2,3,4)

19 Top player with funny hat, I bet, before time has to show impatience to begin? (5,2,3,3) 23 Awkwardly sit among posters and features of stairways? (10) 25 A working group shortened measure of land (4)

28 Fancy lady entertaining six in Rome in enthusiastic fashion (6) 29 Deal, maybe, getting to be successful in carpentry (8) 30 Alter the shape of promenade for many? Not entirely (6)

31 One enjoying seaside touring heart of area requires rest (8)

DOWN

1 Starter of prawns

in lovely meal (6)

2 High tech flier giving talk

in a tedious way (5)

3 Man’s garment is left

amid equipment (4)

4 Greek character opposed

to Italian wine (7)

6 Yankee given direction to

get beer ingredient (5)

7 A small mark worn by navy fellows is decoration (9)

8 Go past an estate,

perhaps (8)

11 Squabble in tiny U.S.

state newspaper (4)

14 Liberal facing young troublemaker is lacking in firmness? (4)

15 One bringing case is clear

over minor argument (9) 16 Capture a feature

of tennis (3)

17 Part of novel based in

Mediterranean island (4) 18 Strikebreaker with unusually drab thing to hold weapon (8)

20 Carry small child

close to creche (4)

21 Hot place surrounded

by trees in port (7)

22 Bun supplier retains

English drinking bowl (6) 24 U.S. actress having lost

money is inactive type (5) 26 Group in clubhouse requires cleaning material (5)

27 Almost perfect notion (4)

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,964, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be date-stamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 50.