Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Welcome to our informal weekly competition to compose a cryptic clue, to be judged by your fellow contestants.

You may enter as many clues as you wish, and everyone is welcome. Feel free to explain your clue if you think it will help, or to ask another poster to explain theirs. As a courtesy to others, please do not otherwise comment on entries until voting has opened.

Your clue should be posted by 1.00 pm (UK time) on Friday 1st April, when voting opens. Entrants should vote for their favourite clue and include the name and post number. Voting closes at 8.00 pm (UK time) on the same day.

The entry with the most votes wins and its composer sets next week's competition. The setter has the deciding vote in the event of a tie and may tweak the rules if necessary. The setter will declare the winner and award an online prize.

This week's challenge is:

PRACTICAL (9)
PRACTICALLY (11)
PRACTICALITY (12)

Enjoy, everybody!

Almost call car; pity it's dismantled (11)

Efficient pump operation uses very little energy (9)

Almost everyone in a cryptic dilemma! (11)

all + (a cryptic)*

Just about managing lyrical pact (11)

Virtually in rehearsal with band while dropping Ecstasy (11)

PRACTICE - E + ALLY

One of the advantages of Zoom, no one is likely to notice.

Surgery shuts early so partner can get in the neighbourhood (11)

Partial carbon copy masquerading as the real thing (9)

Patrich, did you happen to do the TImes cryptic yesterday?

A tweak to #8

Partial carbon copy reproduced what's real (9)