The Times - Cryptic - December 20 2018 Crossword Puzzle Answers

The Times - Cryptic - Times Cryptic No 27226
Clues	Answers
A pivotal point in securing a purchase	FULCRUM
Best to drop round for high-class German meat product	WURST
Cask remains at home, opened by a North African	TUNISIAN
Disgusted character sitting outside entrance to Ashmolean	NAUSEATED
Drivers adopting measure of speed run over upturned jar	AMPHORA
English see eye to eye only briefly? That’s a bore	EAGRE
Flag raised by one reigning over a small African state	ERITREA
Former eastern politician getting the first of these free	EXEMPT
Gradually increase backing for disheartened stooges	step up
Hiss new cricket side given Swinburne’s name?	ALGERNON
In part of hospital, supporter like Ivan __ a horror!	enfant terrible
In state of hostility Grandad gets war wound	at daggers drawn
Indulge group surrounding the senior officer?	COSSET
Jittery head of athletics with intelligence about team	ANXIOUS
Line adopted by stout ship’s officer, one sharing accommodation	FLATMATE
Lovely, not old, American, stuff	GORGE
Modifying Tredegar flat, he produces a ruler	alfred the great
Old coach’s steady application	DILIGENCE
Paid holiday assigned, interrupted by forest fire	gardening leave
Possible Afghan way to crush a rebellion at last	PATHAN
Repeat ceremony involving European count	REITERATE
Restrained by cleric, one cross, spiteful woman	VIXEN
Runner given work in the French Resistance	LOPER
Star beginning to undertake a month in South Africa	SUPERNOVA
Structure in which workers build the cells?	HONEYCOMB
The banker’s craft?	RIVERBOAT
The writer returned barking mad? Hard cheese!	EMMENTAL
Trusty texter’s amused response young adult initially received	LOYAL
The Times - Cryptic - Times Quick Cryptic No 1248
Clues	Answers
Argument over by badger’s den	set-to
Bear in mind school’s back	NOTE
Bet he’s out in the old city	THEBES
Bribe Henry to leave store	SOP
Chap from Helsinki, perhaps, losing head in boozer	INN
Character in Iliad oddly ignored arch-foe	RHO
Chutney maker’s staff depart	MANGO
CO getting married: signal for a fuss?	COMMOTION
Devoted to fat fiancée after makeover	AFFECTIONATE
Doctor clings to a longing for the past	NOSTALGIC
Facial feature old Italian is familiar with, they say	roman nose
Fume after sister has change of heart	SIMMER
Grab hold of elf fans keeling over	SNAFFLE
I caught top batsman. Such a shock!	eye-opener
Insect in South Africa, one coming down chimney?	SANTA
Not working on the house?	FREE
Nothing disturbing the playwright’s dog	POINTER
Posh girl half atones, making ice-cream	GELATO
Report seaman holding expert up	MAESTRO
Reveal revolutionary memo introduced by left	let on
Small fish daughters fed to workman fixing roof	TIDDLER
Trailblazer, one imprisoned by sanctimonious queen	PIONEER
Trudge around V&A? It’s an ordeal	TRAVAIL
Two Englishmen down under having a ball?	POMPOM
Upset when Democrat is given job?	DISAPPOINTED
What leads to heated atmosphere in Hedda Gabler?	AGA