Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you’ve been wracking your brains) yesterday’s solutions.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Apr 2012, 13:00 BST

Cryptic puzzle

Across

7. Judge? (6)

8. Tedious use of drill (6)

10. Quarrel because of radioactive contamination (4,3)

11. Give systematic instruction to retinue (5)

12. Golf course singularly provides the connection (4)

13. To do with a fight (5)

17. A number observed about 5 (5)

18. Check with him when the game’s up (4)

22. Refuse debtor nothing on ship (5)

23. Survive because no one uses the exit later (7)

24. An X from one side to the other (6)

25. Movement for first part of play to be staged (6)

Down

1. Preliminary to a deal (7)

2. A fault of French leader being sickly (7)

3. Drug, one not needed for bird (5)

4. Outline for 100 taking excursion (7)

5. Aid revision in manuscript for gold king? (5)

6. Get an intermediary (5)

9. Wanted, steady lad who can look after horses (6-3)

14. Unruly priests won’t go away (7)

15. In fact, a wayward zealot (7)

16. Fate only half guides the very small (7)

19. One who can make the grade (5)

20. Woo in the royal residence (5)

21. Aid to walking may become fixed (5)

Quick puzzle

Across

7. Cup (6)

8. Sheen (6)

10. Issue (7)

11. Ruse (5)

12. Anger (4)

13. Jeer (5)

17. Boast (5)

18. Tale (4)

22. Bisect (5)

23. Rage (7)

24. Hollow (6)

25. Sailor (6)

Down

1. Bemuse (7)

2. Attack (7)

3. Seat (5)

4. Strengthen (7)

5. Bright (5)

6. Strangle (5)

9. Deception (9)

14. Stateliness (7)

15. Knight errant (7)

16. Upbraid (7)

19. Dense (5)

20. Servant (5)

21. Daub (5)

Friday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 4 Earldom; 8 Orator; 9 Shingle; 10 Pumice; 11 Roused; 12 Concrete; 18 Optimist; 20 Resort; 21 Aerial; 22 Ruction; 23 Plight; 24 Stylist. Down: 1 Compact; 2 Garment; 3 Concur; 5 Adherent; 6 Line up; 7 Oilmen; 13 Emotions; 14 Vikings; 15 Athlete; 16 Result; 17 Portal; 19 Ideals.

QUICK

Across: 4 Discard; 8 Rabies; 9 Festive; 10 Mocked; 11 Poorly; 12 Condense; 18 Vitality; 20 Immune; 21 Ballot; 22 Bargain; 23 Better; 24 Statute. Down: 1 Grimace; 2 Abscond; 3 Recede; 5 Inexpert; 6 Cotton; 7 Revile; 13 Novelist; 14 Violate; 15 Mystery; 16 Impact; 17 Nugget; 19 Awaken.