| HOGG | Mercury hiding attempt to return to 14Dn 17Ac (4) |
| REENTYY | Ne'er stupidly attempt to return to earth's atmosphere! (2-5) |
| OLLIVON | Smashed old violin when thrown out, extremely irritated by 14Dn 17Ac (7) |
| NOSHORTCUT | Turn co-host around on long way to 14Dn, according to Sturgeon (2,8) |
| PATIENCE | Perfect first serve clinches match point in game needed in run-up to 14Dn (8) |
| BATS | Strikers attempt to return (4) |
| STAB | An attempt to return the sporting equipment (4) |
| NOGGIN | New attempt to return drink to mug (6) |
| DISTURB | Upset with attempt to return about backward tedious routines (7) |
| COGNAC | Drink in clubs - may attempt to return |
| TSTRAP | Final attempt to return parts of woman's shoe fastening (1-5) |
| MYRTLE | I object over attempt to return large evergreen shrub (6) |
| ESSAYS | Attempts to return members to busy assembly (6) |
| PINE | 11 & 17Ac. Will this provide timber suitable for fretwork? (4-4) |
| COME | 8 & 17Ac. Gain consciousness (4,2,4,6) |
| FLAT | & 17Ac. Does this smooth things out in the maisonette? (4-4) |
| LIFE | Lot hog I feed perhaps in this comedy... - see 17ac (3,4,4) |
| STABS | Attempts to return flying mammals south |
| WORK | and 17ac, Don't be idle, my friend, as a fellow toiler may say (4-4) |
| SATE | Satisfy 17ac with note (4) |
