Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 15/11/2012

Published on 15/11/2012 00:00

Thursday’s puzzle...

ACROSS


1 Crude rope is twisted in practice (9)

6 Conference will have to turn to get into shape (5)

9 Place available at the first opportunity (7)

10 Strip can turn new club around (7)

11 Was Democrat leader right behind conscription in the US? (5)

12 Measure loss of energy with a long calculation (9)

13 City can follow up Classic language (5)

14 Suspects girls who rely on looks, in the end (9)

17 Was not in favour of offer from an opponent (9)

19 Reserves voice disapproval over hollow knockouts (5)

21 Pay back bruiser tangling with me (9)

24 Cash in endless fortune, about to follow (5)

26 Hard workers in Munich say yes to being put into the market-places (7)

27 In class, one fellow took in the atmosphere (7)

28 Eats sparingly, so may fade away at times (5)

29 Sings a love song, at short notice, in quiet square (9)

DOWN

1 Cavalier may drive over you, we’re told (5)

2 Ham it up in extra performance of Much Ado About Nothing (7)

3 Find the essence of being, in reality (9)

4 Run off with a dud, eg, leaving one open to attack (9)

5 Fit out most of a French racing team, on deck (5)

6 Would one, initially, find any collagen in all connective tissue (5)

7 Updates 23 down with English verse (7)

8 Preaches when the greatest’s going through customs (9)

13 Cut up some fabric reckoned to last (9)

15 Steer cart round other vehicle on track (6-3)

16 About to be left with big cat in turmoil (9)

18 It’s unhealthy to find old man involved in a racket (7)

20 Just the place to find fruit, or vegetable (7)

22 Grumbles off-line about suffering defeats (5)

23 Elevates some flags, failing to open ... (5)

25 ... nevertheless, failing to close, so quits (5)

Wednesday’s solution

Across: 1 At full stretch, 10 Ralph, 11 All at once, 12 Middlesex, 13 Prize, 14 Ablated, 16 Deborah, 18 Set free, 20 Trade-in, 21 Harsh, 23 Cracked up, 25 Observant, 26 Pupil, 27 Trading estate.

Down: 2 Tiled, 3 Upholster, 4 Liaised, 5 Telexed, 6 Eat up, 7 Concierge, 8 Grammar School, 9 Telephone poll, 15 Late riser, 17 Black spot, 19 Enchain, 20 Toastie, 22 Herod, 24 Depot.