Once again Filbert provides a challenging Sunday puzzle for our entertainment.
This one came with a bit of a snooker theme. The phrase WHERE’S THE CUE BALL GOING is a trademark of the recently deceased commentator and ex-player John Virgo, referred to in the middle row as WAG ON THE BAIZE, a tribute to his sense of humour behind the mic. There are a couple of other snooker references dotted around the grid too.
Abbreviations
cd cryptic definition
dd double definition
cad clue as definition
(xxxx)* anagram
anagrind = anagram indicator
[x] letter(s) removed
definitions are underlined
Across
8 Spinning round?
RIFLE SHOT
A cd.
9 Post just arrived left on end of table
NEWEL
A charade of NEW, E for the last letter of ‘table’ and L.
11 Model observed fish using ears
IDEAL
A soundalike clue (‘using ears’) for EYED EEL.
12 Clear sporting clue is for guys
RIDICULES
A charade of RID and (CLUE IS)* with ‘sporting’ as the anagrind.
13 Charges covering any number of people like Andrew in the past
PRINCES
An insertion of the mathematical N in PRICES. The insertion indicator is ‘covering’. A Prince no longer, of course.
15 Therapist at gathering votes against admitting learner
ANALYST
A double insertion: of L in NAYS, all in AT. The two insertion indicators are ‘gathering’ and ‘admitting’.
17 Truck came first loaded with silver
WAGON
An insertion of AG in WON. The insertion indicator is ‘loaded with’.
18 One already mentioned mother’s embraces
THE
Hidden in moTHEr. The sense is implicit in the use of the definite article. ‘A cat?’ ‘Yes, the cat over there.’
19 Green surface of parking spaces reported
BAIZE
A soundalike clue (‘reported’) of BAYS.
21 Official dealing with loose pockets back in time
REFEREE
A charade of RE for ‘dealing with’ and an insertion of E for the last letter of ‘time’ in FREE. The insertion indicator is ‘pockets’.
23 Line you wait for, to shout out loud “4D 18A ___ 25A?”
CUE BALL
A charade of soundalikes (‘out loud’) for QUEUE and BAWL. If you place the answer in the solutions to the clues mentioned, you get WHERE’S THE CUE BALL GOING? which was one of the catchphrases of John Virgo, referenced in 26 across.
24 Frames featuring the blue?
SEASCAPES
A cd.
25 On and off
GOING
A dd. ‘The engine is going/on.’ ‘Are you going/off?’
26 Sign name for 17 18 & 19 across
VIRGO
The astrological sign can also be interpreted as WAG ON THE BAIZE. John VIRGO was a successful professional snooker player who later had a career in broadcasting for the BBC and was known for his oddball sense of humour and catchphrases.
27 … thus time takes a popular TV institution
SOAP OPERA
An insertion of A POP in SO ERA. The insertion indicator is ‘takes’.
Down
1 Ability to calculate shower pressure in boudoir
BRAINPOWER
An insertion of RAIN and P in BOWER. The insertion indicator is ‘in’.
2 Gift from fiancé on vacation, the traditional one
OFFERING
A charade of OF, FE for the outside letters of ‘fiance’ and RING, his traditional gift to his bride.
3 High ground dropped away
FELL
A dd.
4/10 Finding book for kids excited Welsh lawyer
WHERE’S WALLY
(WELSH LAWYER)* with ‘excited’ as the anagrind. You must have heard of the Where’s Wally? books, but if not, here’s what it’s all about. Have you found him yet?
5 Mother in stable steps in dirt according to Spooner
STUD MARE
The Reverend would have this as MUD STAIR. I tried to have it as something to do with the Virgin Mary, but that was the deception, of course.
6 Republican in crooked club means to straighten out
UNSCRAMBLE
An insertion of R in (CLUB MEANS)* The insertion indicator is ‘in’ and the anagrind is ‘crooked’.
7 Velvety fabric nearly quality that’s desirable
PLUS
PLUS[H]
14 Charlie driving across fields perhaps promising party
CONTRACTOR
A charade of C for the phonetic alphabet ‘Charlie’ and ON TRACTOR.
16 Hotel in Goa boiling? God, I know!
THEOLOGIAN
(HOTEL IN GOA)* with ‘boiling’ as the anagrind.
18 Bath covered with hair gives offence
TRESPASS
An insertion of SPA in TRESS. The insertion indicator is ‘covered with’.
20 Setter’s opposed to editor’s thought
IMAGINED
A charade of I’M, AGIN and ED.
22 Large breaks show talent
FLAIR
An insertion of L in FAIR. The insertion indicator is ‘breaks’.
23 A hundred and two sailors share the bill
CO-STAR
A charade of C, OS for ‘Ordinary Seaman’ and TAR.
24 Put money by bar
SAVE
A dd.
25 Down under ginger’s first to turn red, perhaps
GLOW
A charade of G for the initial letter of ‘ginger’ and LOW.
Many thanks to Filbert for this Sunday’s puzzle.
Our American friends use “Where’s Waldo?” I believe.
Good fun, especially if you know about John Virgo, who was also famed for his comedy routines on the snooker table to entertain the audience.
Bravo, to setter and editor, for going for it, even though the key catchphrase featured in another very recent puzzle.
It’s relevant now, but its shelf-life is short, very sadly.
Great puzzle, and solver-friendly. Just about every clue, has a nice touch to it.
I went into baulk for a while, for 5(d), as STUD-MARE seems a bit of a “?”. The stallions stand at stud, and the BROODMARES visit them. Not a bad life. I suppose “stud-mare” is in some dictionary or other.
The Derby winner, is CO-STAR, 23(d). ” share the bill”…..that’s clever.
Frankly, it’s all clever. And I’m cock-a-hoop, that I cleared the table, in a course record time. ( for me).
So, what’s not to love? Nothing. Superb, from Filbert et Pierre
A great tribute to John Virgo even if I possibly dishonoured his memory by spelling BAIZE with an S.
Enjoyed the theme as well as WHERES WALLY (still remember getting a detention at school for bringing it in for reading week) RIDICULES and UNSCRAMBLE and quite a lot more.
Didn’t quite get RIFLE SHOT when solving but Googling afterwards confirmed what I suspected about the spinning bullet.
Thanks Filbert and Pierre
CO-STAR and CONTRACTOR were both very clever. I am another who tried to get “Moley hairy” to mean steps in the dirt.
A completely delightful crossword.