dtgk

[sincnoel]

last one. 27d a contrivance for hurling stones.

[Aquagility]

Petrary

[Minoru]

27D Petrary

[sincnoel]

folks, thank you. but we have a problem here because the answer also could be pedrero "an old gun for discharging stones").

[sarumite]

Yes, it's Petrary, but we had to be careful here as 'Pedrero' that also fits pattern was an old gun for discharging stones!

[sarumite]

Snap sincnoel.

[sincnoel]

sarumite, i'm going now for petrary cos that's the exact definition given in chambers. but today's xword is a bit cunning and has some very mephamesque clues, so caution is required. looks as if the tele has found a decent successor to MM. not easy.

[sarumite]

Hi sincnoel, when I started the crossword the first few clues were quite disappointing and only needed brief reference to google etc; but as I got further into it was pleased that extra thought was required and much more interesting!
Still a long way to go to meet MM's standard, but definitely better. Agree with Petrary for reasons stated.
Cheers (S)

[sincnoel]

a few hours on ... just think, sarumite, the super 14 starts in three weeks.

[Nigse]

The OED's definintion of petrary gives that pedrero (and also perrier which doesn't fit) are all the same - medieval military engines for discharging stones. But , of course whether it's petrary or pedrero that is the correct answer for this puzzle will depend on the compiler. MM would be very proud!