2414: Matchplay

Seven unclued entries had the same relationship to an eighth (appearing as the two other unclued lights).

Across

1    Tease females after tea (5)

9    Misrepresentation of man in notes from St Paul? (10)

11    Celebrated beginnings of little individuals, in a way (5, hyphened)

12    Plonkers heading off abroad for a breather (7)

14    Trace sauerkraut in German houses (5)

15    Low and extremely servile creature (5)

16    Gathering of hippies in front of leaky old vessel (6, hyphened)

21    Throw ormolu at US plant (4,4)

22    Make one’s blood run cold, though wearing nappy (7)

25    Ignoring the odds, Jason grabs sailors in river (4)

27    Report of rabbit missing part of face in horror film (7)

28    Return to fresh New England warehouse (8)

33    Sister rings Oscar, almost entirely to do with part of speech (6)

34    One departs after zero hour in North Macedonian city (5)

35    Scoundrels skinned aquatic mammal (5)

38    Trump’s shorthand typist faked notes (5)

39    Dryer of crocodile tears devastated after loss of role (10)

41    Small, half-cut Lutheran knocked back gin (5)

Down

1    Conservative courtesan unexpectedly went to Canadian capital (13)

4    Death row in England (6)

5    Thin blue paint regularly discarded (4)

6    Zambia’s first ace not permitted to lose concentration (7, two words)

7    Articulate childless peer (5)

8    Tail of itinerant chap’s donkey in London? (8, two words)

10    Initially expecting angry caller to veto choice of US college (13, two words)

13    Lovers later shed clothes and gorged themselves (7)

15    Account of French setter in French sea (6)

18    Fury of smart fellow, too discontented (6)

19    Doc, upset, by Heather’s small fish (7)

20    North-eastern dons spot wine sold more cheaply (6, hyphened)

23    Twisted in helix, originally obtained from nothing (8, two words)

26    Work thus, detailing square element in blood serum (7)

29    Unreciprocated love, strange indeed (6, hyphenated)

32    Presidential candidate with time for new bathroom fitting (5)

36    Food and equipment in stables (4)

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 15 July. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2414, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.