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PEER REVIEW 638

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 finished.

Your clue should be posted by 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 29th March, when voting opens. Entrants should vote for their favourite clue and include the entrant’s name and post number. Voting closes at 7:00 pm. 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:

BRUTE FORCE (5,5)

Future setters should note that a complete list of previously used words on Clueless, Peer Review and Weekend Peer Review is available here https://tinyurl.com/4dzss5np

Curt before resorting to violence (5,5)

Betray horniness in anterior, grabbing first of conquests with less than subtle ardor (5,5)

betray horniness: RUT
OED has before as both
anterior and anterior to.

With shackle released, Cook whacks trouble-free century, displaying destructive power (5,5)

Spooner's produce market provides great strength (5,5)

FRUIT BOURSE

Muscle cut before getting ruptured (5,5)

Sheer strength of chap from Oz concealing forte for gymnastics (5,5)

Aargh! Missed out an "r" please ignore.

A tad better, perhaps…

Sheer strength of chap from Oz concealing gymnastic forte (5,5)

(Also just noticed it was too similar to Chris, Instead;)

Potency of ordering beer for TUC (5,5)

Ex-PM Harold Wilson used to host meetings with the TUC (Trades Union Congress) at No. 10 famously laying on beer and sandwiches.