i Cryptic Crossword No 439

[souxie]

Sorry to all,probs with the keyboard which is no excuse for not looking at what I have written,

17 Across, Original message(4)???D
2 Down, Port certainly German wine(5) R????
12 Down, Foaming algae get spilt,for sloppy(4) F?O? S?I?T?E
14 Down, Forced good king,having lost top 17?(9) G???E?E?S
16 Down,Batting position,for example(8) ?N?????E

Hope this is better,apologies to all.

[Frank97]

12d Frog spittle

[factor-fiction]

word
Rioja
Frog Spittle

Instance

[penelope2]

16d. Increase ?

[penelope2]

Prefer 'instance' (Factor 30) for 16d.

[Frank97]

16d Instance?

[factor-fiction]

gloveless

[factor-fiction]

sorry- ignore gloveless

[bibblebub]

14d) g r aceless

[bibblebub]

17a) card ?

[penelope2]

14. Graceless. G+R+Aceless

[penelope2]

sorry bb, computer slow today didn't notice yours above.

[factor-fiction]

I thought Word for 17a only because of the only bit of the Bible I can remember:

http://bible.cc/john/1-1.htm

[bibblebub]

no problem penelope2, those things happen

[bibblebub]

The reason I suggested card is that someone who is a bit of a character is said to be a card or an original, and birthday cards, xmas cards etc. are messages.

[factor-fiction]

You may be right, bibblebub.

[souxie]

Many Thanks to all.

[factor-fiction]

Is there a 17d?

[souxie]

Sorry factor30 no 17 Down.