Spectator

[paulo_1]

Spectator 2500: Can someone help with the wordplay for 44 ac and 30 dn ? With 44 ac I can’t account for couple whilst for 30 dn I can’t get to grips with the wordplay at all, despite taking account of the missing letters. I have probable solutions for both.

[novalis]

Giving the clues and special instructions would help those who don't have the puzzle.
30 down - Team = 11 (1 = I), the usual abbreviation for caught + a two letter word for somebody who takes on everybody else in a game.
44 across - I read couple as two 1s (Is) with one of those being 'arrested' by we'd. Others may see that differently.

[paulo_1]

Thanks novalis, and point noted about the clues and special instructions. The puzzle is easily findable as a pdf but will bear it in mind. I didn’t think of II=team, as for instance with xwords like The Times, team would usually be XI. Re the couple clue I quite agree with your parsing. It might have been fairer if the setter had added ...(to arrest one) of them.