LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Across

1 Had the wrong role, and moved off to a cycling venue (9)

6 Expensive item inside a roadster (4)

9 International team playing in a super United ground (4)

10 Championship side, or a F1 champion (8)

13 Go into the pool with drive, rightaway (4)

14 Starts with extra time in a downpour (3)

15 Heard a story finish with some hesitation at the back of the pack (4-5)

16 A little man got in there, say (2)

17 A marine, for instance, took part in a warm-up (3)

18 Some may climb all over vehicle with enthusiasm (5)

19 A couple playing together on the green (4)

20 Offer to take on a nurse perhaps

(6)

24 Did a drunk player shoot or trip at first? (3)

25 Volunteers, in short, joined a ship with old Italian linesman (5)

26 Arranged for old Lancashire star to take on a little boy (10)

28 Employ a fine fellow to act for some players (5)

29 Finish off in 15 or 20 across, at the terminus (3)

30 Venue for prestigious tennis tournament in the US (6,5)

Down

1 Top F1 driver just behind 10 across in the race to be champion (10)

2 Set the pace in some open country, by day (4)

3 Wooden club designed to suit 10 across or 1 down (6)

4 A band of brothers getting right inside another one (6)

5 Gold medallist aiming to compete in the Winter Olympics (10)

7 Did a great Australian bowler end up in Rutherglen? (4)

8 Did an undergraduate follow her boss into a hospital department (7)

9 Strength displayed by an old prisoner, with little hesitation (5)

10 Listen to some of the Arsenal team (4)

11 Run in a long way, like middledistance athletes (6)

12 Has the courage to use new serve, as it were (6)

18 Need to check out some of the veteran runners (3)

20 A heavyweight went to Georgia, or another rugby-playing nation (5)

21 Go off at speed, like an arrow in a local game (4)

22 Get a negative response in Paris soon enough (4)

23 One managed to end up more mature (4)

27 Fish with some Steelers in the NFL (3)

Dear Reader,

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we are suspending competition entries for all our prize crosswords. Puzzles will continue to appear as normal but no entries will be accepted or prizes given.

We hope to return to normal as soon as possible.

Stay safe!

Joy Yates, Editorial Director