The Times Crossword Clue of the Day

[penfold_61]

Pirate at sea given a large reward for not taking gold (6,5)

(Long John) Silver + Med + A + L(arge)

[penfold_61]

Smell varied awfully - legacy of number two (6,5)

;^D

[anax]

Second break point in serve all I’m playing for? (6,5)

D ("break point" = on snooker table) in SERVE ALL I'M*
_________________
Start every day with a smile and get it over with.

[AngryVocab]

Left following Elvis' dream? Out for a second.

[Doubt this simpleton one needs explaining (ELVISDREAM)*+L]

[twigusa]

Hmm, I think this can be improved but it's late :) Could maybe use cook as part of the definition and the wordplay.

pirate cook's award for meals served with drivel? (6,5)


Pirate cook = silver
Award = medal

Anagram of meals and drivel.

[AngryVocab]

An award for making reflective iron, for example, utilising deuterium via tritium decay

making reflective = SILVER + iron, for example METAL +D -T

[AngryVocab]

Prize for third in the '78 World Cup is marvelled about (6,5)

(ismarvelled)*
[That's the football World Cup. Apparently a Silver medal was also given in 1974.]

[7dNigePun]

First of all may I offer my congratulations to everybody who took part. It seemed at first that this was a bit of a pig to clue but your fantastic efforts just showed what a bit of grit and determination can do. Thanks for that.

When your vote doesn't count it's easy to pick a winner, but I found it really difficult to decide and my favourite kept changing through the week. So, with apologies to those of you who thought your effort deserved more recognition, here is the verdict from the Lancatrian jury:

1st Anax
Rival’s led me when running, so I get this? (6,5)

Brilliant, smooth surface and, like he said, almost an &lit. Can't be faulted. Mention should go to another of Anax's offerings where he gave the definition of "One decorating second home". I think sneaky definitions are Anax's trademark. This was a beauty

2nd Feathers
Dave Miller's swimming trophy

So simple I had to check with others that it was as brilliant as I thought. Everything summed up in four words - superb.

3rd Penfold_61
Pirate at sea given a large reward for not taking gold (6,5)

Brilliant surface with a well-maintained theme

Thanks again to all participants and over to you Anax