Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Apologies if these have been asked before - have checked but can't see a thread
Last two, gone brain dead!
45a' Boundary crazy lad secured, backing team using internet m???n/?i?o?/l?n?. (5-5,4)
29d Fierce women given lines in explosive musical ?e?l/?a?? (4-4)
Thank you

MASON DIXON LINE and HELL CATS

thank you Brackendale. I would never have got 45a!

The first one is "crazy" is MAD with lad (SON) inside followed by team (XI) backwards then using internet is ONLINE altogether gives MASON-DIXON LINE (boundary)

High explosive is HE and the musical is CATS with lines LL inside gives HELL CATS = fierdce women

Thank you for your time, not sure I will ever truely crack these things, but will keep trying!

The Mason-Dixon is the boundary that separates Pennsylvania from Maryland and West Virginia regarded as the dividing line between the free states and the slave states before the American civil war. It was named after two American surveyors - Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon.

The sort of useless information that helps in a pub quiz!

Hence "Dixie" for the south-eastern USA

.... more useless information!

I feel the same way Wendy, but I keep a notebook of the conventions (line sometimes means l for example) which helps. I imagine it takes years to complete them quickly.

Wasn't Charles Mason english?