CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

7 Beginning with film scene (5)

8 Prize animal provides round of meat, while ... (9)

10 ... dog gets almost one whole sheep to eat (6)

11 One French name competed _ rather him than me (8)

12 Weed attacks minority group on Scottish island (8)

13 Where accused may be cut short (4) 15 Most courageous plan is preferable when getting on in position (7) 17 First-born villains put on shoes (7) 20 Religious instruction at church is full of treasures (4)

22 Convoluted course _ it results in vehement protests (8) 25 Clap a few who are good-looking (8) 26 Most essential element in making plates (6) 27 I am missing drawbacks in architectural features (9)

28 Rescind excommunication for possession of prohibited books (5)

DOWN

1 Lay out crib, an arrangement for new-born (9)

2 Fated to have eaten out at insider establishment (8)

3 Drive back on beat (7)

4 End Ravel composition with refined charm (8)

5 Theatre found to be sunk in untold vices (3,3)

6 Burden taken on by novice hillbilly (5) 9 Toffee-nosed person rejects good society (4)

14 Wake-up calls in reaction to evil leers (9) 16 Ship puts children aboard ahead of time (8) 18 This girl’s out for mere gain (8) 19 Fashions at today’s limits display retiring disposition (7)

21 Rid sin jungle of lemurs (6)

23 Slight draught at news agency? (4) 24 Scare stories at Aintree, say (5)