CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Like old brickwork, fences or felt possibly (12) 8 None sharper than this copper during a trial (7) 9 Spot trainee reporter returning strong material (7) 11 Egyptian king twice can start to gripe, showing disapproval (3-7) 12 Penniless pair steal rings (4) 14 Scattered fir cones relating to criminal investigation (8) 16 Mafia scouts conceal pig’s ear (6) 17 Mate’s stake reduced (3) 19 Quietly go off to play at water’s edge (6) 21 Drink one to suppress bone disease (8) 24 Be jealous of English ace leaving service (4) 25 Bad soaking ruined cookery ingredient (6,4) 27 Hesitant dipping aluminium co ntainer in mercury (7) 28 Stupid dog with no lead is brought back inside (7) 29 Where privates are out of order? (5,3,4)

DOWN

1 Line on map nearly identical to radius (7) 2 Often bizarrely queer books are seen during Zoom (10) 3 Leave behind exterior clothing (8) 4 Earl, doctor and (briefly) knight build wall (6) 5 Prepare to fire boss of farmyard? (4) 6 Tense students gather over ground (7) 7 It could be a substantive section of address (4,2,6) 10 Newspaper pics lead to reflections (6,6) 13 It’s said to lift all boats desiring it somehow (6,4) 15 Taxi’s roughly black (3) 18 Left with musical note, some magicians do it (8) 20 Reveal full age occasionally entering seedy joint (7) 22 Self-obsessed type obtained one in East Street (7) 23 Students are so stretched, by the sound of it (6) 26 Try to collect Irish income support (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.

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 16,517, 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 68.