Double Crossword

Today’s grid
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Oct 2012, 13:00 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

1. Made to sing for a drink (6)

4. Complain about the game (6)

9. Shortage a CIA lad is sorting out, being idle (13)

10. Prisoner taken to cricket match, or some other game (7)

11. Members of certain branches? (5)

12. Polite sort of servant? (5)

14. Dessert that’s sweet when baby takes it (5)

18. Deliveries Rose makes about five (5)

19. A pilot flying round Cuba initially is concerned about the light (7)

21. Fine girl to have as a relation (13)

22. The story is way out in speculation (6)

23. Head chef tried vainly to obtain money (6)

Down

1. Bill Insole can provide comfort (6)

2. Think about Tina flying out to the east as selfish (13)

3. Great variations in framework (5)

5. Decide to work out the answer again (7)

6. Cold input came over as quite simple (13)

7. Listen out and join up (6)

8. Beat soundly when making food (5)

13. Rides in awkward fashion, like one in the know (7)

15. Did battle to gain a stronghold, we hear (6)

16. Roam around before taking student to lesson (5)

17. About to be covered in talc, possibly - or wine (6)

20. Men leaving regiment have to return the cat (5)

Quick puzzle

Across

1. Lithe (6)

4. Mission (6)

9. In order of time (13)

10. Say (7)

11. Boundary (5)

12. Range (5)

14. Sag (5)

18. Happen (5)

19. Glowing (7)

21. Articulation (13)

22. Diminish (6)

23. Fortune (6)

Down

1. Divine (6)

2. Clear sighted (13)

3. Thrust (5)

5. Uniform (7)

6. Lodgings (13)

7. Expand (6)

8. Near (5)

13. Scent (7)

15. Force (6)

16. Adorn (5)

17. Attitude (6)

20. Demise (5)

Friday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 4 Stopgap; 8 Hangar; 9 Scorned; 10 Set out; 11 Litmus; 12 Llanelli; 18 Night owl; 20 Varied; 21 Fabric; 22 Pioneer; 23 Defeat; 24 Prelude. Down: 1 Whistle; 2 Initial; 3 Nature; 5 Tackling; 6 Pirate; 7 Avenue; 13 Land’s End; 14 Worried; 15 Placate; 16 Caviar; 17 Lionel; 19 Hoaxer.

QUICK

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Across: 4 Victory; 8 Around; 9 Deviate; 10 Motion; 11 Pilots; 12 Nominate; 18 External; 20 Beaten; 21 Ebbing; 22 Ascribe; 23 Resist; 24 Angered. Down: 1 Payment; 2 Costume; 3 Enjoin; 5 Inexpert; 6 Trials; 7 Rotate; 13 Amenable; 14 Inhibit; 15 Flighty; 16 Reason; 17 Starve; 19 Emblem.