DEVON duo Tom Allin and Seb Benton tasted Lord's glory with Cardiff UCCE in the final of the MCC Universities Cup.

Allin, who is from Bideford and the son of former Devon and Glamorgan spinner Tony Allin, featured in a match-winning partnership of 93 as Cardiff chased 237 to win.

Benton, whose father Keith was a left-arm spinner with Paignton, Devon and an England Under-19 side that included Derek Pringle and Kim Barnett, had a lesser role. He opened the batting and got out for nine. Allin made a vital 28 not out coming in at number nine to see Cardiff to a three-wicket win.

Benton senior said having one game at Lord's had whetted Seb's appetite for more. "Seb was disappointed to get out, but overall it was a great day for everyone in the team, capped off by the winning," said Benton.

"Cardiff were 145 for seven chasing 237 when Tom Allin went in and his stand of 90-odd with Neil Waldron won them the match with two and a half overs to spare.

"The Cardiff team will be almost the same next year as most of the lads in it are on a three-year course. They could get back to the final again and if they do I have told Seb he has to score 100 next time and get his name on the famous honours board.

"The nearest I ever got to playing at Lord's was Paignton's centenary game on the Nursery Ground behind the Media Centre. So Seb's ahead of me there."

Benton jnr will be making his Minor Counties debut for Devon this weekend in the game against Shropshire starting at Shifnal.

Allin cannot play for Devon at the moment as he is on a summer contact with Warwickshire, who have plans for him next week. Devon welcome back left-hander Rob Holman, who missed the drawn game with Dorset at Torquay last week, and add Sidmouth seamer Scott Barlow to the travelling party.

North Devon's Dan Bowser stays in the squad during the continuing absence of opener Chris Mole due to injury.

Somerset have a prior claim on Adam Dibble (Sidmouth) and James Burke (Exmouth), who played against Dorset, and Plympton's Lewis Gregory who did not.

Devon (from): S R Benton (Paignton), D J Bowser (North Devon), R I Dawson (Budleigh Salerton), G R Chappell (Bradninch), R J Holman (Weston), A W P Allen, I E Bishop (both Budleigh Salterton), T S Anning, D F Lye (both Exmouth), S Barlow (Sidmouth), C L Metters (South Devon).