Double Crossword

Choice of cryptic or quick puzzle, and (just in case you’ve been wracking your brains) yesterday’s solutions.

Cryptic puzzle

Across

7. Certificate authorising connubial rows! (8,5)

8. The rigour of a difficult craft (8)

9. One burrowing beneath the breakwater (4)

10. One that shoots a follower of Falstaff (6)

12. Glum when getting a circular letter in code (6)

14. Buccaneer goes back about the present time (3-3)

16. Etiquette required, we hear, for fine houses (6)

18 And 3 Down. Keep quiet after the barman mixed up the hen food (4-4)

20. Somehow got there without being separated (8)

22. One who fights with somebody else (2-11)

Down

1. A priest is disturbed about a sponger (8)

2. Tick this kind of card (6)

3. See 18 Across.

4. Looks after mother and is discreetly silent (5,3)

5. More solidly rooted tree beside the sea in France (6)

6. Please allow a performing animal inside (4)

11. Presumably, it’s not for a heavy drinker (5,3)

13. Lads about to press for the operators (8)

15. Safe jobs don’t attract this sort of money (6)

17. A small number attempt to get round a lawyer (6)

19. A sharper man on the board (4)

21. They stop people telling jokes (4)

Quick puzzle

Across

7. Blackleg (13)

8. Irregular (8)

9. Rage (4)

10. Cap (6)

12. Front (6)

14. Odd (6)

16. Sticky (6)

18. Egg-shaped (4)

20. Stirring (8)

22. Locking up (13)

Down

1. Obdurate (8)

2. Renounce (6)

3. Appear (4)

4. Fruitful (8)

5. Material (6)

6. Average (4)

11. Leaning (8)

13. Realm (8)

15. Coarse (6)

17. Shrewd (6)

19. Sell (4)

21. Tend (4)

Thursday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 1 Abel; 8 On the level; 9 Pastiche; 10 Dose; 12 Abacus; 14 Raided; 15 Banner; 17 Pedals; 18 Isle; 19 Director; 21 Conductors; 22 Hide.

Down: 2 Broad beans; 3 Loft; 4 Stocks; 5 Meteor; 6 Head wind; 7 Flee; 11 Spellbound; 13 Contends; 16 Reduce; 17 Pardon; 18 Inch; 20 Cash.

QUICK

Across: 1 Wasp; 8 Altruistic; 9 Platform; 10 Also; 12 Cancel; 14 Resume; 15 Casual; 17 Sandal; 18 Lewd; 19 Stealthy; 21 Memorandum; 22 Beer.

Down: 2 Amalgamate; 3 Pact; 4 Stroll; 5 Summer; 6 Assassin; 7 Echo; 11 Sympathise; 13 Cauldron; 16 Lascar; 17 Steady; 18 Lime; 20 Limb.