Hoffman hoping borrowed bat gives him the edge in cup final

Uddingston pinch-hitter Hoffmann was dealt a blow when his favourite bat broke last week.

However, the former Scotland all-rounder has been bailed out by Haq.

Hoffmann said: "Breaking my bat on the eve of the cup final is not ideal.

"It's one I first used playing for Scotland against UAE in Sharjah three years ago and I hit 49 with it that day.

"It has served me well since then but it snapped last week and left me with no option but to call Maj.

"He's a bit of a bat collector and has leant me a good one for the final. Hopefully I'll be able to smash a few runs with it."

Meanwhile Uddingston skipper Ricky Bawa is determined to end a seven-year wait for a cup winner's medal.

Bawa was injured when the Bothwell men won the cup for the only time in their history in 2003.

The Premier Division outfit start favourites against First Division Stirling at Hamilton Crescent and Bawa said: "It's a chance for me to make up for lost time.

"It has always been a source of frustration that I picked up a back injury a couple of weeks before the 2003 final and wasn't able to play.

"I was there to see the guys winning a tight game against West of Scotland that day but it will mean a lot more if I get the chance to lift the trophy."

Stirling stalwart Jon Taylor has backed young all-rounder Josh Edwards to live up to his "future star" billing in today's final.

Some observers have labelled Edwards the "new Paul Hoffmann" and the Hamilton Crescent showdown will the perfect occasion to discover if the tagging is accurate.

Taylor, now retired from first-team cricket for the New Williamfield club, declared: "Josh has had a brilliant season with bat and ball and there is no doubt he is one of the brightest young talents in the Scottish game."

He also reckons part of any success in Glasgow will be dedicated to another club veteran, Douglas Macgowan.

Macgowan hung up his bat after last weekend's appearance for the third eleven in his 70th year.