30-MINUTE CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

3. Faced lift grievously troubled (9)

8. Copy the unknown at the top (4)

9. Strengthen curb on power (9)

10. Make the bounder expire he carries clubs! (6)

11. Made a request for a new desk (5)

14. Degree of slope where game is played (5)

15. Take great risks so more than one die (4)

16. Prickle removed from wreath or nosegay (5)

18. Be degraded by wicked act at the King’s Head (4)

20. Argue about something that bores (5)

21. A number head off burden (5)

24. Overlooks spinsters (6)

25. Tried best accommodation (3-6)

26. In short, you and I are past (4)

27. Haphazardly strew heather for sport (9)

DOWN

1. One month ended in ceremonial parade (5-4)

2. The way the boss speaks is over grave (9)

4. Release without charge (4)

5. Connections of course (5)

6. Boasted 100 used oars (6)

7. Engrave and so on with hot tip (4)

9. The correct side, perhaps (5)

11. Concerning a fight (5)

12. Sets I’d dug out, far from pleased (9)

13. In low spirits with the media indeed (9)

17. Lowest point of a drain (5)

19. Affectionate touches change the skies to the south (6)

22. Getting up in style to have breakfast in inn (5)

23. Well loved, but at some cost (4)

24. Have in mind the middle position (4)

PREVIOUS SOLUTION Across: 1 Shed; 3 Culpable; 8 Espy; 9 Beginner; 11 Plus and minus; 13 Riddle; 14 Stable; 17 Question mark; 20 Neurosis; 21 Para; 22 Sayonara; 23 Glad. Down: 1 Sleepers; 2 Expound; 4 Upends; 5 Philistine; 6 Bantu; 7 Earl; 10 Tablespoon; 12 Deckhand; 15 Bradawl; 16 Tidier; 18 Usury; 19 Ones.