Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 18/10/2012

Published on 18/10/2012 00:00

Thursday’s puzzle...

ACROSS


1 Acknowledged it may be hard to take up New Deal (7)

5 Is finished with boyfriend entirely (3,4)

9 If in revolt, begin to follow a social climber (7)

10 Did an acrobat move line to the end of a cart? (7)

11 Colour over your ball with white finish (5,4)

12 Meaning to place feature in period (5)

13 Avoid having to perform in front of BBC boss, by the end (5)

15 Had the green light to give authority to Heath (9)

16 It’s foolish to import a small amount (9)

18 Creeps along the fringes of most field boundaries (5)

21 To be caught in upstream is in order (5)

22 Robin Hood’s band, we’re told, had time for hilarity (9)

24 Triple sporting challenge for press worker (4,3)

26 Have a liaison with a very loud runner (7)

27 Greek girl took a US lawyer to a tropical island (7)

28 Arranges qualifications for some musicians (7)

DOWN

1 Contracted record to lead top diva (7)

2 Marshalled the troops to sound an attack (7)

3 Bob dug up vegetable taking in nitrogen (5)

4 Able to impound one, and turn out to be a serious illness (6,9)

5 Important decision is needed when reaching a major junction (2,3,10)

6 After left turn, many may see a smoke-stack (3)

7 Drive away from court with a settlement (7)

8 Told that royal was thrilled ... (7)

12 ... with rate of another nameless royal (5)

14 Still have time for action, in consequence (5)

16 Looking for an old bishop’s throne with ruler (7)

17 To spread rumours about old man is distasteful (7)

19 Would a southern European care about gin? (7)

20 Some artists’ models are easy catches (7)

23 Intimate getting a new iron, right away (5)

25 Leading man insults adolescent girl (3)

Wednesday’s solution

Across: 1 Sing sing, 5 Social, 10 Mariner, 11 Octavia, 12 Leech, 13 Haemostat, 14 Oyster mushroom, 17 Alsace-Lorraine, 21 Lethargic, 23 Souse, 24 Cheroot, 25 Leonine, 26 rhymed, 27 Imperial.

Down: 1 Sample, 2 Nursery, 3 Synthetic, 4 Northern lights, 6 Outdo, 7 In vitro, 8 Lead time, 9 Core curriculum,, 15 Headstone, 16 Cable-car, 18 Satiety, 19 Nautili, 20 Reveal, 22 Above.