CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 A dramatic event had passion, but could lead to unnecessary risks (4,4,4)

8 Old man, say, had tea, at the end (5) 9 Proposed to egg on second duets being played (9)

11 The Spanish still have a full team on the field (6)

12 A top trainer managed to perform a lot in a casual way (2,6)

14 Is imploring two hands to keep giving one medical attention (10)

15 Odds on getting one new rotation (4) 18 Finishes up, at last, with some close friends (4)

19 On time, managed to get the text of a play from an official copy (10)

21 Rip up clues to the production of a priestly vestment (8)

23 A financial backer, at some stage, took on a girl (6)

25 Deploring imperfect group of books in first grade (9)

26 Is about to get first lady to pass through (5) 27 Tank can be used to rouse bad-tempered characters (12)

DOWN

1 Nipped something in the bud, so stopped it coming to pass (9)

2 Recovered from inaction after a period of retirement (8)

3 Want to have a sense of longing (4) 4 Getting it more secure, one needs to make it fast, in good order (10) 5 Environmental campaign took on staff from the enemy, in the past (6) 6 Assessed the speed needed on the first day (5)

7 Suffered a setback after getting a part, at some stage, so changes character (4,8) 10 Had to show people how to be a protester (12)

13 A model drawing can be quite a temptation (10)

16 It might well cost a smaller amount, but it’s still invaluable (9)

17 Are coins used to get the outline of a play, say (8)

20 A passenger jet on time came down to earth (6)

22 It’s a bit strange to get a graduate into a ballroom dance (5)

24 Had to go off a search engine to look fondly

at someone (4)