Here’s a crossword that started life back when The Stickler appeared in The Daily Telegraph. Generally I used to work with a full list of appropriate words, including words I had already clued and those that I hadn’t. Due to the number of words already clued, most Sticklers contained a good mix of “old” and “new” words. It got harder and harder to create crosswords with predominately new words as there weren’t that many available and favouring them in the grid build was a lengthy process and often caused filling problems. However, when I had the time, I used to put together a grid of many “new” words just for fun and to give myself an extra cluing challenge as such a grid would always throw up some unusual words and terms. You may well remember striking the odd Stickler that seemed different or maybe a tad harder than usual – it was probably one of those “special” puzzles. Anyway, I had assembled the grid for this puzzle but The Stickler was axed before I could write the clues, so I dropped it. News Corp refused to pay for the puzzles I’d already done (over 6 weeks worth), so there was nothing in this puzzle for me especially as I knew it could be a tough one to complete. Two and a half years on and it’s done. I found it as I was cleaning up my files, and indeed it was a struggle to get it right.
It does have some unusual words in it and some tough clues, and probably more Oz content than normal due to when the grid was constructed. I’ve added clue help, but just ask if more is needed.
The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.
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The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.
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Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 119 |
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Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 119 |
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Solution to The Stickler Weekly 118 |
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Invest in the Future of The Stickler |
Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.
It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).
Enjoy!
Oh dear! What are we in for here?
Back to way Back When?
I start this one with some trepidation. I found last week a challenge.
Glad you resurrected this one. 5dn was so cleverly constructed it it looked at first like an indirect anagram- then the penny dropped. I also really liked 12ac, 22ac and 18dn as well as MIDDAY in Puzzle 118.
I liked a lot of the clues. Not as difficult as I feared after the build up. Cricket references always stump me.