This crossword No. 21980 clues and answers were published on Fri 18 Aug 2000 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21980 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Orally support a vessel : AMPHORA
5-across – Bandage pillion-riding women : SWADDLE
9-across – Thanks for gathering a velvet starfish, maybe : HARVESTFESTIVAL
10-across – Nothing in the basics after ‘e makes blunder : ERROR
11-across – In return match fellow’s replaced by team leader before first side netted : RETICULAR
12-across – Straw mattress spells trouble to girl in gym : PAILLASSE
14-across – Run away girl drops pen : ELOPE
15-across – Retrospectively drive off outcast : LEPER
16-across – Naturally belonging in a missing sequence thus : INTRINSIC
18-across – Top beetle? : WHIRLIGIG
21-across – It is not commonly corrupt : TAINT
22-across – Apologising for oriental thingumajig in competent dish : EATINGHUMBLEPIE
23-across – Old instrument – in the wind section? : SERPENT
24-across – Place for things to go : OUTTRAY
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Refuse pile of cash he appropriated : ASHHEAP
2-down – Drink drowns characteristic suffering in one representing people : PORTRAITPAINTER
3-down – Umpire, perhaps, of last appeal? : OVERRULER
4-down – Right off the beam when following : AFTER
5-down – Confection from sugary substance : SWEETMEAT
6-down – Room at the Top in Greek : ATTIC
7-down – One who thinks Satan’s cooler about rising turmoil? : DEVILWORSHIPPER
8-down – Expand the General Assembly : ENLARGE
13-down – Catapult fish into vessel on boiling : SLINGSHOT
14-down – Peg’s back, admitting small arm produces short letter : EPISTOLET
15-down – Unruly without holding boring instrument : LAWLESS
17-down – Table things in Franglais to downsize the SNCF? : CUTLERY
19-down – Unclean weapon? : LANCE
20-down – Lady’s fingers smell with sticky stuff on : GUMBO
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.