LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

ACROSS

1 Rick had secret arrangement with some players at Lords, for instance (10)

6 Take issue with a Spurs goalscorer (3)

10 Legaltransactionbynorth-east runner on first day (4)

12 Still make a formal proposal to the French society (10)

13 Was a large flightless bird stuck in the mud? (3)

14 Leadingindividualpresentedwith a pith-helmet (4)

15 Sport featuring at a venue for other trials (9)

16 Are winning serves on the cards? (4)

18 Hailsomeofthe Atlantabraves

(3)

19 At Sale, in fact, was unable to tilt

(4)

20 At last, leader turned out to have been warned (7)

23 Did little Christopher have the right sports equipment? (3)

24 Was about to take Ernie to the dances (5)

26 In PE, tries to organise a suspension (7)

28 Get some advantage from running at Sedgefield (4)

29 Secondary route taken by England seamer (5)

30 Post may appear in letterbox, initially (4)

31 It’s a gift to get one man back in absolute authority (10)

DOWN

1 Return to the ring, for example, after a long absence (8)

2 Might a small firm, in the end, stamp out some money? (4)

3 Sent off by road to Europe. It was filled with sound (9)

4 Laura, for example, at last round turned out to have been well informed (7)

5 Did a top Serie A side get some players from Arsenal? (4)

6 Boss sent off to find some college types (8)

7 Return one day before a race with a choice (10)

8 It’s quite silly to be in a New England state (5)

9 Faltered, at last, upset by being overpraised (9)

10 Left-winger got out on the way back, but had to take a diversion (6)

11 Catch sight of a European agent, as it were (4)

17 Come to a halt in the last Open championship (4)

21 Item for sale at Leicester, Oldham and Tottenham, initially (3)

22 Did a city team fall into the Spanish trap? (5)

25 Transfer two trainees to the second eleven, at first (4)

26 Liverpool player about to drive off first (3)

27 Self-confidenceshownindisplay by one gold-medallist (3)

28 Old record maker from the Midlands, no doubt (3)