Cryptic Crossword February 2025

Across

1 Ground rule, Bob included, if anything can go wrong, it will (4,3)

5 A supporter with one Old Testament character or another (7)

9 Able to have 26 across life, no time to be profligate (7)

10 Creator of DNA units exists (7)

11 Celia pops out of the church (9) 

12 Ian is back on the mount (5) 

13 Follow graduate’s belief (5) 

15 Try to cover up comprehensive defeat (9) 

17 See Argyll and the Isles perhaps (9) 

19 To choose most of the subject (5) 

22 Some supple Athenian to get creased (5) 

23 She is attractive in an evil way (9) 

25 51 in the sun I name first needing hormone (7) 

26 Triangle that’s never-ending (7) 

27 Feline coming to an unexpectedly abrupt end (4,3) 

28 Sounded plucky? (7)

Down

1 Payment for the cloth (7) 

2 Moisturising? Restraining vibrating motion (7) 

3 Typically Rice might have penned this (5) 

4 Executor’s self-control (9) 

5 Some evangelical messenger (5) 

6 Entrances rebuilt becoming active again (9) 

7 Brief stockings on lady giving shout of praise (7) 

8 Oratorio’s new emphasis not played quietly (7) 

14 So topical maybe about the disciples (9) 

16 Resting on holder of church benefice (9) 

17 Admission to church (7) 

18 Partner’s issue being on flight first (7) 

20 Mark one hundredth piece once (7) 

21 Made a move on board when actors took star roles (7) 

23 Reversible 13 across (5) 

24 Some absinthe tasted by Greek character (5)