The usual flawless puzzle from Phi
Solving time: 12 mins
* = anagram
ACROSS
1 S TRIPPER Excellent use of 2 meanings of “peel”
6 FO UR of “backing” RU Rugby Union = sport “on reflection” Also backing
9 PRO SIT A toast
19 Philip LARKINg
20 A S ON E MAN son = lad name reversed
24 WEAK Wake with e = energy moving
25 REST HOME (Most here)* A great & lit.
DOWN
2 T ERR IBLE Err for a(one) in table
4 PUT OUT (upset) TO T (b)ENDER
5 R (ETINU) E Unite reversed in RE Royal Engineers (soldiers)
6 FIRM AMEN Thrill
7 U P (M) OST
14 BLACK JACK
17 TRAIT OR More soldiers = other ranks
18 BA(n)D DIE
Another crass error (‘yardie’ for BADDIE). I’ve really got to stop making these stupid mistakes and accept that if I can’t see the wordplay, it’s probably wrong.