Across
9
Match is evenly balanced (5)
10
Case of nymphomaniac closed by judge’s recommendation (9)
11
Sober Paddy Ashdown tackling European leaders (9)
12
Mature women leaving mass (5)
13
Horses carrying home soldiers (7)
15
Rubbish vehicle rejected for another? (7)
17
Prickly character is very decent for the most part (5)
18
My fellow travellers can finish this sandwich (3)
20
Join German in pool (5)
22
Duke interrupting Tories playing checkers (7)
25
Letter from girl including very explicit overtures (7)
26
Tube confused old buzzard (5)
27
Substitute maybe bitter letting in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s opening shot (9)
30
Promise support for selected group (9)
31
Star is coming out in Arctic perhaps (5)
Down
1
Cock up taking drug for source of energy (4)
2
Muppet series in rehearsal (5,3)
3
Stoke oddly capturing the heart of Halle Berry (4)
4
State coffers keeping NASA flying (8)
6
Broadcasts for the masses (10)
7
Where you can find piggies walking (2,4)
8
Cannabis and ecstasy smuggled into jail (4)
13
Revolutionary piece from Vanessa Mae is shot in The Crucible (5)
14
Cemetery cut corner moving Greyfriars Bobby? (10)
16
Bailiff on threshold? (5)
19
Misinformation in clue for trees? (3,5)
21
Abandoned terminal in Roswell air base capable of being contacted by radio? (8)
23
Necks first husband’s martini on vacation (6)
24
Song I refuse to play ultimately (6)
26
Rabbit starter for Kirsty Young served up (4)
28
Engrossed in the middle of bra fitting (4)
29
Sample from Steve Arnott is clear (4)