Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31044
Hints and tips by Falcon
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from my lakeside retreat near Ottawa, where I am enjoying a few days of summer-like early autumn weather before I close up the trailer (caravan) for the winter.
In my last appearance two weeks ago, I neglected to mention that review marked my fifteenth anniversary – my first review having appeared on September 15, 2010.
Today’s puzzle did not strike me as being the work of either X-Type or Twmbarlwm, so I’m guessing it may be from a new setter – but my guesses at the identities of setters rarely prove to be correct.
A month ago, when Smylers was covering for me, Jenny M commented “Still waiting for a clue involving say a netball term??” Well, Jenny, since the inception of Big Dave’s Crossword Blog netball has featured on a number of occasions in both Toughies and the Backpager. In fact, I first learned of the existence of the sport from a puzzle in 2012. Netball is not commonly played in Canada as girls here generally play basketball like their male counterparts. Your question prompted me to do a little research which I had intended to include with my review two weeks ago but it had to be deferred for technical reasons.
On three occasions, netball appeared in the fodder:
ST 3227 (27 August 2023): 2d Sport taken up by thousands, in netball (6)
Toughie 1835 (23 June 2017): 14a Badly soiled netball, not current sporting prize (8,4)
Toughie 728 (29 February 2012): 29a Netball team training in court close to contest (6)
In two cases, the blogger who reviewed the puzzle associated the solution with netball:
DT 28164 (12 July 2016) 29a More intelligent animal restricts physical exercise (6)
where the reviewer stated “A horned animal that could be Red or Fallow includes (restricts) an abbreviation for a type of exercise we all did at school. For the girls it was usually hockey and netball. I have no idea what the boys did. Rugby I think. Possibly football?”
ST 2571 (21 January 2011) 18a Tries to win where some games are played (6)
where the reviewer stated “A nice double definition – wooing or winning the attention of someone/a place where games such as netball and tennis are played.”
In 22 instances, netball was the solution to the clue:
Toughie 3187 (21 December 2023): 4d Heard about any tea dance after game (7)
Toughie 2998 (25 January 2023): 8d Online dance is sporting activity (7)
DT 29900 (02 February 2022): 3d Before dance catch game (7)
DT 29855 (10 December 2021): 21a Geordie great inspiring British sport (7)
Toughie 2761 (07 December 2021): 2d Mistress Gwynne about to be announced for sport (7)
DT 29717 (02 July 2021): 3d Significant number held up party game … (7)
Toughie 2638 (05 May 2021): 17a Final dance in game (7)
Toughie 2411 (01 April 2020): 18d Before dance catch game (7)
Toughie 2112 (23 October 2018): 6d Two necessities for tennis, as a game (7)
Toughie 1968 (13 February 2018): 12a Bungle service perhaps for game (7)
DT 28547 (02 October 2017) 6d Every throw-in counts in this game (7)
Toughie 1774 (09 March 2017): 22a Figure recalled enjoyable time in sport (7)
ST 2836 (03 March 2016): 10a Clear bishop completely in court action (7)
DT 27674 (16 December 2014): 6d Two features of tennis in another game (7)
DT 27603 (24 September 2014): 18d Before the dance, catch the game (7)
DT 27338 (18 November 2013): 17a Game with two essential elements of tennis (7)
DT 27127 (22 March 2013): 7d Game to be announced when girl comes around (7)
DT 27027 (19 November 2012): 19a Game — and how to score in it (7)
DT 26994 (11 October 2012): 2d Practice session before dance and sport (7)
ST 2614 (18 November 2011): 27a A couple of things used in many sports, or one in particular (7)
ST 2501 (18 September 2009): 20d A couple of requirements for tennis or another sport (7)
DT 25957 (17 June 2009): 1d Girl collecting new bat for game (7)
Only one clue appeared twice (in both instances in puzzles set by Donnybrook/NY Doorknob), although there are several minor variations on some of the other clues. Should you wish to check the parsing of a clue, the puzzle numbers link to the review of the puzzle.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
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