PRIZE CROSSWORD

For this puzzle we’ve provided two sets of clues, each giving the same answers. one set of clues is cryptic, one set is quick. It’s a good way to hone your skills, because it gives you two ways to crack the crossword! two winners will be chosen randomly from all entries (cryptic and quick clues). so whichever set of clues you follow you have an equal chance of winning!

CRYPTIC Clues

ACROSS 1 1980s Norwegian group holding label upside down for Ms Christie? (6) 4 Fish ’e introduced into same bar, possibly (3, 5) 9 Wild cats finally sitting in rows (6) 10 Get together, say, before function for something to eat (8) 12 Balancing mostly unsteady diet of other people is what he likes (8) 13 some magnificent regal place of activity (6) 15 leave former partner with it (4) 16 Meera syal film (an animated sort) (5,3,2) 19 prince of Wales not spinning round in this dance (10) 20 servant, very angry about one (4) 23 Al the actor walkin’ with nothing on (6) 25 City where beautiful woman’s said to be given rating (8) 27 Amid ruins of trieste, discover a written composition (8) 28 popular company is weak (6) 29 expressed regret, smashing metal end (8) 30 Friend twists lid on portable computer (6)

DOWN 1 item i dropped in claret, stupidly (7) 2 A republican chap in a south American country (9) 3 Her little boy upset a recluse (6) 5 Jug stored by Crewe railroaders (4) 6 Where the bus stop is situated, incidentally (2,3,3) 7 insist upon being totally correct (5) 8 Falcon that is cross? (7) 11 eastern problem is serious (7) 14 Got up around gym and bent over (7) 17 playwright and lightweight artist loses romeo (9) 18 Marine organisms — an awful lot stuck on bottom of wood (8) 19 london’s wealth? (7) 21 invent a dumper somehow (5, 2) 22 perhaps an aged set of topics for discussion (6) 24 sheets of paper — under a hundred in off-white colour (5) 26 Man, for example, is extremely lovable (4)

QUICK Clues

ACROSS 1 - - - raisin, M C Beaton’s amateur sleuth (6) 4 popular food fish (3, 5) 9 large striped felines (6) 10 Minced beef preparation often served in sauce (8) 12 Man-eating human (8) 13 Core, heart (6) 15 Way out (4) 16 Book and screenplay by Meera syal (5,3,2) 19 1920s dance style (10) 20 - - - of honour, wedding attendant (4) 23 Al - - -, scarface star (6) 25 serbia’s largest city (8) 27 Formal report (8) 28 Feeble, frail (6) 29 Grieved for (8) 30 type of computer (6) DOWN 1 piece in a newspaper, perhaps (7) 2 evita’s homeland (9) 3 Crab that lives in others’ shells (6) 5 large pitcher (4) 6 in passing (2,3,3) 7 precise (5) 8 From Valletta, maybe (7) 11 sincere, keen (7) 14 Hunched (7) 17 Miller or stoppard, eg (9) 18 Floating whale food (8) 19 seat of government (7) 21 Create, or imagine (5, 2) 22 Meeting schedule (6) 24 Dairy product (5) 26 small land mass (4)

aNsWers IN Issue x2x66x