Western Jaguars captain Ivan Ludiali says the team picked vital lessons in the concluded Kenya Hockey Union season that will go a long way in delivering the men's Premier League title to their cabinet.
Jaguars lost the title by the barest of margins after playing eventual champions Butali Warriors to a 2-2 draw in the final match of the season last weekend at City Park.
The youthful side would have dethroned Butali if they had managed to beat them and hope to get a favorable ruling in a case before the Sports Disputes Tribunal challenging the outcome of the sugarmen's clash against KCA University.
However, the draw against Butali will automatically settled everything as the point gained gave the side unassailable lead, the outcome from SDT corridors notwithstanding.
Ludiali while conceding defeat said the team might have suffered heartbreak at the end of it but all their focus will be wrestling the title from the hands of Butali.
"We finished third in the previous season and made a step higher this season. We are also ranked the second best team in Africa. This shows that we are on upward trajectory. The only thing lacking from our side is the title which I believe we will successfully contest for next season. We are a young side and the lessons learnt will help us a lot," said Ludiali who also plays for the national team.
His sentiments were backed by coach Michael Malungu who heaped praises on his boys for giving Butali a solid run for their money and the impressive progress the team has realiser in recent years.
" We had a slow start in the game and by the time we were in rhythm, we had conceded twice. We finished two points behind the champions which is a good run. Last year we were the second runners up and the preceding campaign we finished fifth. It shows we are progressing well," said the tactician.