CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WIN £500 No 17,227

ACROSS

1 Makeshift haunt of male around rear of club? That’s baffling (12)

8 Muffled sounds from outsiders in set breaking regulations (7)

9 Cave in curved coastline under men firstly in underwater vehicle (7)

11 Pause for a short time in the bar renovated behind attraction (4,6)

12 Plan is cherished barring last parts (4)

14 Laugh a lot with mark made by fold ahead (6,2)

16 Observed hearing, perhaps, with director (6)

17 Decline a brief swim (3)

19 Turn from Victor amid varied wiles (6)

21 Wood preservative ending in case put in mobile scooter (8)

24 Rings left out, oh dear! (4)

25 Restriction in contrast to be altered (10)

27 War poet shortly describing a ship (7)

28 Protect feature of a snooker table (7)

29 Relative concussed in game around start of October (6,6)

DOWN

1 Overshadow leading wise type? About time (7)

2 Delaying tactics if I bluster going wrong (10)

3 Discrimination shown by U.S. friend — consumers rely on it? (5,3)

4 Notes I scribbled in a work-related area? (2-4)

5 Leading bar changing sandwiches (4)

6 Rules do need reforming in pilgrimage site (7)

7 Those who come before office holders? (12)

10 Gathering of executives wearied, we hear, Gene and Tim sadly (5,7)

13 Mixed foods and beers in very comfortable place (3,2,5)

15 Element in spicier film (3)

18 Text by firm about cold, sparkling drink (8)

20 This person’s mostly ignored stalemate (7) 22 View from work follower having lost money (7)

23 Made up contents of bins in type of school (6)

26 Way of working with Jack and Oscar has charm (4)