Cryptic Crosswords 2 - Brain Teasers Message Board

10 Final in Cologne after one is coming up (9)

Final = end
Cologne is a scent
putting end in cologne gives
ASCENDENT

Reply #61. Jun 05 17, 11:57 PM

26A Press the US after openings to Trump officially rubbished (6,6)
anagram "the US after" and add T and O from Trump Officially (openings) to get

FOURTH ESTATE

Reply #62. Jun 06 17, 12:03 AM

Spot on Chris, you're making good progress!

Reply #63. Jun 06 17, 2:45 AM

8 Ply land bordering the sea (6)

Of course! STRAND. Double definition

Reply #64. Jun 06 17, 7:33 AM

15 Bill at the front in northern town (9)

GATESHEAD Bill = Gates, front = head

Reply #65. Jun 06 17, 7:35 AM

15 More suitable afterwards to talk a lot with heating engineer (3-6)

GAS FITTER

Reply #66. Jun 06 17, 7:37 AM

24 Finished school for auditors having taken a lot in (9)

OVEREATEN ?

Finished = over, school = Eton (eaten)

Reply #67. Jun 06 17, 7:47 AM

Where do the auditors come in?

Reply #68. Jun 06 17, 7:47 AM

Yes it is OVEREATEN Sue, and it's auditors in the sense of a listener ... so EATEN sounds like ETON ;)

Reply #69. Jun 06 17, 12:30 PM

Thinks aloud:

21 Oscar catches up with court employee (5)

Apart from a clerk or an usher, the only court employee I can think of is a stenographer (STENO?) or maybe Magistrate, in Oz they are often labelled SM. Where does Oscar come in? Any thoughts, Chris?

14 Without introductions, large volume hired as agreed (8)
ASSENTED would fit, (agreed), but the reasoning eludes me.

Reply #70. Jun 06 17, 6:28 PM

16D Winning positions in Test so pressure off (3,6)

Anagram in Test so and add the p from pressure to get
SET POINTS

Reply #71. Jun 06 17, 7:52 PM

(Apart from a clerk or an usher, the only court employee I can think of is a stenographer (STENO?) or maybe Magistrate, in Oz they are often labelled SM. Where does Oscar come in? Any thoughts, Chris?)

I reckon STENO might be the answer. Oscar just using the O and NETS (catches, up)

Reply #72. Jun 06 17, 8:00 PM

Aha! Thanks.

I just realised I'd already put SET POINTS in my grid, but missed calling it in. Great minds, and all that.

Reply #73. Jun 06 17, 8:35 PM

Which leaves us with:
ACROSS

20 Back problems engulfing northern African sect of Muslims (7)

25 Onset of acid rain disturbed African rhino (5)

DOWN

2 Amateur with two suits in abundance (1,4)

14 Without introductions, large volume hired as agreed (8)

22 Experienced reverses over in Washington? (5)

Reply #74. Jun 06 17, 8:46 PM

Should have put the known letters in for those who are not working with the grid.

20 Back problems engulfing northern African sect of Muslims (7) S---S-I

25 Onset of acid rain disturbed African rhino (5) N-I-A
NAIRA
(there is an African currency called the Naira, rain disturbed is nair + A for acid or Africa)
DOWN

2 Amateur with two suits in abundance (1,4) A-O-O

14 Without introductions, large volume hired as agreed (8) A-S---E-

22 Experienced reverses over in Washington? (5) D-N-H

Reply #75. Jun 06 17, 8:57 PM

halekotsi

22 Experienced reverses over in Washington? (5) D-N-H
Looks like DINAH. (HAD reversed + IN)

Reply #76. Jun 06 17, 10:21 PM

Just the really tricky ones left now!

Sue you asked:
14 Without introductions, large volume hired as agreed (8)
ASSENTED would fit, (agreed), but the reasoning eludes me.

It's large volume (MASS) + hired (RENTED) but without introductions, ie first letters removed.

Reply #77. Jun 07 17, 9:06 AM

DINAH (Washington) is correct for 22 down, precisely as parsed by halekotsi.

And I've just noticed your suggested answer for 25 across Sue, it is NAIRA. This one initially caused me problems until I sussed that rhino is a mainly British slang term for money!

Reply #78. Jun 07 17, 9:15 AM

20 Back problems engulfing northern African sect of Muslims (7) S-N-S-I
DOWN
2 Amateur with two suits in abundance (1,4) A-O-O

These appear to be the only two left.

Reply #79. Jun 07 17, 4:56 PM