This crossword No. 22612 clues and answers were published on Fri 30 Aug 2002 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 22612 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – A top oarsman named locally in Treasure Island : BENBOW
5-across – Comparison made with short polar bear! : PARABOLE
9-across – A 5 down who wanted a fair playing field? : LEVELLER
10-across – Came ashore like a laird : LANDED
11-across – Part of a power station used for cultivating cucumbers? : COOLINGTOWER
13-across – Turn on the red stuff : GORE
14-across – After a successful one, Neil replied: No, it’s cold! : MOONSHOT
17-across – Young doctor : HOUSEMAN
18-across – Veering due north without cover : NUDE
20-across – The preacher’s book : ECCLESIASTES
23-across – Seafood eaten by Thomas Campion : SCAMPI
24-across – The Italian floor covering is in a state : ILLINOIS
25-across – The figure at the centre of Defense : PENTAGON
26-across – Substitute for the heart of conversations with final ending : ERSATZ
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Avon once in dire need : EDEN
3-down – They make white seats in US arenas : BLEACHERS
4-down – Premier orchestra in victory : WILSON
5-down – Member of Oliver’s house party? : PARLIAMENTARIAN
6-down – Faith system: core of belief found in tract : RELIGION
7-down – House call! No big deal! : BINGO
8-down – Belgian city rulers, who have subjects : LIEGELORDS
12-down – Transport for a kind of angel? : MOTORCYCLE
15-down – Where people lay gleefully at camp? : SINGSONGS
16-down – Super way of breaking records : SMASHING
19-down – Leader once in battle epic : ATTLEE
21-down – The drunken speedster is twice over it : LIMIT
22-down – Elder and younger both end turning up on time : PITT
This crossword has in total 27 where 14 are across and 13 are down.