The Herald crosswords
ACROSS
1 Humanity expert placed a thorn for game with meaning (14)
9 Group of trees policemen reported (5)
10 Centaur in trouble? Not sure (9)
11 Film that causes dizziness (7)
12 Joy could be Turkish? (7)
13 Grasp part of a tree (4)
14 Tries during actual practice session (9)
18 Men stuck between hills – that’s a teaser (9)
20 Even kiss Mary? Goodness me! (1,3)
22 Suddenly dived and hurtled round court (7)
25 Chemical bearing cryptic note on card (7)
26 In every respect, two dismissed (3,3,3)
27 Helps wild beast (5)
28 A re-entry plan, it fails between Earth and Mars, perhaps (14)
DOWN
1 A paramour endlessly taking large number into secluded place (6)
2 Only the best two prizes lifted (3,6)
3 Staggering about in free lingerie (7)
4 Tycoon has dog cart removed (9)
5 Interwoven in lilac edging (5)
6 Something of a thug, or I’ll add, an ape (7)
7 All the world’s languages contain this kind of informal speech (5)
8 Establish in stable (7)
15 Right inside different heatable drink (6,3)
16 TV serial with singing in the bath? (4,5)
17 Avocado starter, strangely, is hot; duck is cold, from what we hear (7)
19 Cost of putting writing materials into river (7)
20 Knot tie with speed, and repeat (7)
21 Lower clothing? (6)
23 Frequently expressed as a decimal? (5)
24 Reject inner circle and wilt (5)
ACROSS
1 Metal netting (7,4)
9 ___ Federer, retired tennis player (5)
10 Put out of action (7)
11 Fastens (7)
12 Bushy barrier (5)
13 Motionless (6)
15 Unpleasant grins (6)
18 Groove (5)
20 Brief passage (7)
22 Covertness (7)
23 State north-east of Vermont (5)
24 Pane surround (6,5)
DOWN
2 Early evening meal (4,3)
3 Malediction (5)
4 Most senior (6)
5 London soccer club (4,3)
6 Grandly garbed (5)
7 Quality associated with the UK (11)
8 Things you cannot do without (11)
14 Breathed (7)
16 Facing of facts (7)
17 Sibling’s son (6)
19 ___ Fountain, famous Rome landmark (5)
21 Chronological device (5)