Cryptic crossword - The Scotsman 01/04/13

Monday’s puzzle...
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Apr 2013, 02:54 BST

ACROSS

1 Plays in sports at gala’s festivities (12)

8 Have a feeling of getting side by side (7)

9 Pin down mugs, and picks holes in them (7)

11 Show a bit of flair in the language lab (4)

12 Popular book on perfect place to store wine, we’re told (4-6)

14 Minority head off soon with a good egg, initially (6)

15 Brother takes a small pest to city down under (8)

17 Esoteric development for exclusive groups (8)

19 Managed to avoid fence at the first ditch (6)

22 Show some style on line, with feeling (5,5)

23 Greek character got one right after Heath (4)

25 Criminals in court, that’s obvious in the end (7)

26 Extract some treatment for illness (7)

27 Represented one man with another (and a third) (12)

DOWN

1 Sure to find rain, etc, pouring out (7)

2 Starting to look over any fresh bread (4)

3 Beat up mixture in cooking for one in play (6)

4 Pilots need to take a Roman road over the heights (8)

5 One politician serves up one to be inspiring (10)

6 Ornamental plant used to cook (7)

7 Wish that the elements might be fine (4,1,4,3)

10 Submitting after second turn right, so giving up (12)

13 Go ahead with vigorous forward offensive (10)

16 Backs up opposite side, at the start (8)

18 In position to find some raw material in the top mine (7)

20 Folded old jacket, losing little time today (7)

21 When evidence may be put forward (6)

24 Did one have to pose a question? (2,2)