CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

8 It’s me, slipping into solitary rock (9) 9 Idiot with brain, but no head! (3) 10 Pastures new as mowed (7) 11 Scoundrel spilt rouge (5) 12 Mischievous child heading off weak person (3) 14 Situation in coarse rioting (8) 16 Crosby receives less approval (8) 18 Fetch a bit of luggage, travelling (3) 21 Fewest hired out, we hear (5) 23 Sway to avoid congestion? (7) 25 Express disapproval at unfinished paperback, perhaps (3) 26 Intermediary is no extremist (9)

DOWN

1 Old boys crushed in maul (6) 2 Reading through poem, maybe novel (4) 3 Gives support to Eastern wives (8) 4 Little creature eating seconds for pudding (6) 5 Ogle when dance comes up (4) 6 In favour of leaving and giving up (8) 7 Right to leave roof support behind (5) 13 Spot dance with Dorothy (5,3) 15 Earl with a bug upset, not necessarily right (8) 17 Popular team’s not out (6) 19 Italian city good for code-breaker (6) 20 Jumping bail, I must make an excuse (5) 22 Cat burglar’s opening grave (4) 24 Ready to have a go at sport (4)