This crossword No. 9973 clues and answers were published on Mon 22 Apr 2002 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Quick Crossword No. 9973 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Train – group of porpoises : SCHOOL
4-across – Big – fender : BUMPER
9-across – A national – topic of discussion : SUBJECT
10-across – Monster – fish : TROLL
11-across – Record – stage direction – come in : ENTER
12-across – Relevant – appropriate : GERMANE
13-across – Game played on court : TENNISMATCH
18-across – Jug – baseball player : PITCHER
20-across – Have the same final sound – poetry : RHYME
22-across – Electronic communication : EMAIL
23-across – Oppose – competition : CONTEST
24-across – Rank – housing development : ESTATE
25-across – Offer – present – gentle – nurse : TENDER
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Method : SYSTEM
2-down – Custom – wear : HABIT
3-down – Cover – attack : OVERRUN
5-down – State – unqualified – rank : UTTER
6-down – Dull – pedestrian : PROSAIC
7-down – Wave – wave-maker : ROLLER
8-down – Infatuated with desire to act : STAGESTRUCK
14-down – Pull out – quotation : EXTRACT
15-down – Orchestrate – order : ARRANGE
16-down – Field – ball : SPHERE
17-down – Landlord – epistle : LETTER
19-down – Composer of The Planets : HOLST
21-down – Give away – return – grant : YIELD
This crossword has in total 26 where 13 are across and 13 are down.