Crossbar No 1,469

ACROSS

1 Off-form national side can’t get

sold off (8) 7 A lot rose up to tackle “spoilers”

(7) 8 Lied about a food outlet, in

short (4) 9 Gets rid of captain, say, for

ceding extra runs (10) 13 Deal in buying and selling of

players (5) 14 Cash in title organised in track

and field ... (9) 18 ... and its old governing body managed Aberdeen, Airdrie and Alloa, initially (3) 19 It’s crazy to join 14 across

statisticians, in short (3) 20 Took command of direction in

teaching (11) 22 Expert served up a winner (3) 23 Pressed old diner to turn up,

leaving the crease, maybe (6) 25 Cut up when going right into

the outhouse (5) 26 Is a girl able to play for a North

American team? (6) 28 Threw up having entered a

caber contest (6) 29 Ready to finish up in English

county team (3) 30 Gamble on a Navy side in

League Two in England (6) 31 Explosive start at Tottenham,

Norwich and Truro (3)

DOWN

1 Team beating 1 across 3-0 in World Cup qualifier (8) 2 Small firm had to check up on things it might want (5) 3 Was the landlord a bit of a character? (6) 4 Most novel, so went off in two directions (6) 5 In addition, was part of the Arsenal soccer academy (4) 6 Team drawing 1-1 with 1 across in World Cup qualifier (9) 8 Fit of ill humour for leading Dodgers team (3) 10 Connect with kinswoman, losing one verse (6) 11 Croatian designed protection from inclement weather (8) 12 Supplementary drinks for National Hunt horse, no doubt (7) 15 Foreign trip for rugby and cricket teams to ancient city (4) 16 Have to reduce speed in acute conditions (3) 17 Walked all over the opposing team, perhaps (7) 18 Hold on to a new group of singers without one (6) 21 Added clause applied to top jockey (5) 24 Designed a 29 across for an old Essex star (4) 25 Pen suitable for some of the last Yorkshire squad (3) 27 Barrier surmounted by 22 across (3)

Last week’s winner: Mrs M Walker, edinburgh.

Entries to: Crossbar competition, The Scotsman, 30 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh EH4 2HS. The winner’s name and solution will be published next Monday. The Scotsman Publications Ltd employees and their families are not eligible. The Editor’s decision is final.