CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
No 16,307
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 16,307, 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+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 62.
ACROSS
1 Rug-maker’s tiny margin? (5-7) 8 Work unit cultivated a cactus (7) 9 Wimp takes as much as he can from surgery (7) 11 Record award announced for initiative (10) 12 Initially describe writer’s joint (4) 14 Kentish town snack (8) 16 Ravel’s brief dance with the French (6) 17 Anonymous affectionate youngster (3) 19 Sail off shores of Northumberland — Lindisfarne perhaps? (6) 21 Most disreputable Teesside novel (8) 24 English lad reversed winning margin (4) 25 Positive story about a very ordinary ancient city (10) 27 It was read to mob in SA port with discretion (4,3) 28 One parent leaves adult insects (7) 29 Around hotel, they all ordered trendy booze basically (5,7)
DOWN
1 Film director impresses old city in Texas (7) 2 Bury drink below summit finally? It’s what climbers do (10) 3 National emblem’s fake diamond (8) 4 Careless dealing with girl (6) 5 Rod cut across lake (4) 6 White wine no good after tense sampling event (7) 7 Profitable idea, like referee before starting game? (5-7) 10 In which some authors write, strained after show (7,5) 13 British trees get over first bit of decay and rot (10) 15 Tory abandons subject associated with him (3) 18 Diabolical comedian floundered (8) 20 City cheer: ‘Spend Spend Spend!’ (4,3) 22 Damaged mobile crossing river and mire (7) 23 Brahman trained to absorb this holy word (6) 26 Occasionally began, say, a piece of cake (4)
NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.