Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 01/03/2012

Across

1 Preserve old status of an overseas territory (12)

8 Ready to get near a fight in the ring (5)

9 Queue, we hear, to accept a bequest (9)

11 Did sentry keep out of sight for protection? (6)

12 Give way after knight left guard, taking back blunder (8)

14 Standard of prevailing ocean current (10)

15 Follows suit, although out of shape, seemingly (4)

18 Is able to connect with couple in relationship (4)

19 Rifle used to cut short game in season (10)

21 Person hoping for the best had to go for one man first (8)

23 Sailors (and soldiers) both start to drink up (6)

25 Sign off opera arrangement, getting into a state (9)

26 Warning-signal with drink, right at the end (5)

27 Greens marry off daughter, so fixes things for a party (12)

Down

1 Supply the wherewithal, on condition (9)

2 Get the better of one, although not in form (8)

3 Leaders of engineering unit ruled out threatened currency (4)

4 Fit to lead a new church with moderation (10)

5 Criticised attack encircling the French (6)

6 Deserted in defeat, retreating to old royal family (5)

7 Mangles heavy plants to produce some sweetmeats (12)

10 Rides off, to acclaim, to share things out again (12)

13 Director of operations had to lead marines with inspiration (10)

16 Trophy winners had day out with some cavers (3-6)

17 Be brave, eg, about one type of wording (8)

20 Undermine one man taking on two (6)

22 Was scared to put one on edge, in the past (5)

24 It’s miserable to work for second-rate factor (4)

Wednesday’s solution

Across: 1 Cheesed off, 6 Epic, 10 Hardliner, 11 Atria, 12 Cruise, 13 Wedding, 15 Breakfast, 18 Linda, 19 Undid, 21 Personnel, 23 Carrier, 24 Guffaw, 27 Troop, 28 Green bean, 29 Dent, 30 Isothermal.

Down: 1 Coho, 2 Error, 3 Selkirk, 4 Dunce, 5 Firewater, 7 Perpignan, 8 Changeable, 9 Sandal, 14 Obfuscated, 16 Eiderdown,

17 Asparagus, 20 Drippy, 22 Offence, 24 Great, 25 Abeam, 26 Anil.