The Telegraph - TOUGHIE CROSSWORD NO: 981 - May 17 2013

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Clues Answers
Best replacement, a bit less than stellar? STARR
Bridesmaid turning more chaste when worried nun enters RUNNERUP
Col. Blimp, at bottom a buffoon PASS
Essence of male orientation symbol MARROW
Get French cheeses picked up for a drink with vodka SEABREEZE
He devised cuts since accordingly introduced by young man SASSOON
It's entirely about protecting university ALLURE
Large mammal's horny plates enable scuffling BALEEN
Leeway of little magnitude in a cavalry weapon ALLOWANCE
Logic's abandoned with theologian involved in popularity-based award GOLDDISC
More hip from good jumper to compete at start of run-up GROOVIER
Mostly faddish argument over loose clothing CULOTTES
Mount races to capture heart of Maureen O'Hara in a film SCARLETT
Mum crossing Thames at Oxford hugs somebody vacant like mummy's boy? SISSYISH
Nothing in arrest leads to place of confinement COOP
Clues Answers
One's learned what breaks short knife, in hindsight EGGHEAD
Ordeals of following lines in petition on phones SUFFERINGS
Overbearing Arthur cuddles frequent companion for (dishy) Josh ARROGANT
Promotion neglecting small computer start-up BOOT
Pushed a blockage through, not even having flushed 14 RODDED
Revocation of secular condition Foreign Office authorised OFFICIAL
Run right into perhaps a baleful badger HARRY
Shimmering steel blue turns around, never going out of style DATELESS
Someone helping seabird in the past, according to appearances? EXTERNALLY
Someone obsessing about computer language without introduction of recursion GEEK
Strength of monkeys regularly seen in trees FIRMNESS
Thoroughly involved with demand in store KNEEDEEP
Treat to spy? Thing quite different! NOTAPRETTYSIGHT
Weight of ring in purple and very very black PLUMBBOB