This crossword No. 21896 clues and answers were published on Fri 12 May 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21896 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Copper backing for chimney’s unserviceable – cloudy mass results : CUMULUS
5-across – Support the record reserves : BACKLOG
9-across – Worry as part of Tweed is turbulent : DISTURB
10-across – One’s the same as another : SYNONYM
11-across – Golf property round bush, somehow, in tip? : CLUBHOUSE
12-across – The French in their way backing Swiss mathematician : EULER
13-across – The city’s to the fore, we hear : LEEDS
15-across – Plant class in US universities : IVYLEAGUE
17-across – English actor run possibly as a storyteller : RACONTEUR
19-across – Spot produced by insect mostly : LOCUS
22-across – Ship’s funds going west : SLOOP
23-across – Blow the directors! I have the controls : DASHBOARD
25-across – Colourless flat : INSIPID
26-across – Play with tin scraps in an unsuitable way : INAPTLY
27-across – Old tree: 50 years? : ELDERLY
28-across – Diner, perhaps, placed between king and duke’s relatives : KINDRED
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Fish left around here in France: more for Will? : CODICIL
2-down – Mixed muesli about right for disorder : MISRULE
3-down – Some useful outhouses on the Irish Sea : LOUTH
4-down – Vessel with reduced depth in petrol not to be reported? : SSBJUDICE
5-down – Beat time in HQ : BASTE
6-down – What’s gone wriggling into fish basket? : CONGEREEL
7-down – One in deep yen for stage : LONGLEG
8-down – One could be stuck up one : GUMTREE
14-down – Bird with grit, a music-maker : SANDPIPER
16-down – 1Standard credit when supporting quads : YARDSTICK
17-down – Tries PE after injury suspension : RESPITE
18-down – Wires could be passed transversely : CROSSED
20-down – Firm place in church for thick black liquid : COALTAR
21-down – Deed, say, upsetting, as sorrowful one could be : SADEYED
23-down – The tot’s pop? : DADDY
24-down – Note uprising ropes in crude strength : BRAWN
This crossword has in total 32 where 16 are across and 16 are down.