The Crossword Centre Clue-Writing Competition

CCCWC March competition voters’ comments
 
Clue no. 44: Silly Republican ass in US beginning to crow, he's self-obsessed

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A clue to NARCISSUS.
2 comments refer to this clue (from 1 competitor, 0 others)
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Comments on the clue
1.Not quite as appealing as clue40 but a nice topical 'Trump' reference.
 
Comments on the competition
1.
For me, there were plenty of clues with inventive word play but very few combining this with a smooth surface meaning to disguise the cryptic components. Coincidentally, Narcissus was the answer to 15dn in the Times cryptic 27327 (Wed 17/4/19) and was clued as: 'Drug agent I figure out on reflection is a plant' which as a solid but unexciting offering perhaps points to how difficult 'Narcissus' is to clue innovatively.

The stand-out clue for me is clue 22. At 14 words, perhaps a little long but with imaginative and disguised word play so different from other entries, although I did have to persuade myself that 'reflective' was an acceptable reversal indicator. So, it gets my 5 points.

Clue 5 deserves a mention for complex construction but at the expense of a flowing surface story (2 points).

Clue 14 seems to make the best use of the 'graciousness – ego anagram – 2 points.

Clues 40 (preferred 3 points) and 44 (1 point) have topical 'Trump' references.

Clue 2's double def also has a certain appeal – 2 points.