They've earned their stripes and PHC Zebras are heading back to top flight football.

A year after falling by the wayside and being relegated to the lower echelons, Zebras managed to swallow their pride, pick up the pieces and begin the long trek back to the Premier Division.

Undefeated so far in league play, PHC officially wrapped up the First Division championship on Sunday with a win over arch-rivals Somerset Trojans to remain on course for the coveted league and Shield double.

But obscuring the path to further glory is a Trojans side ? the only team to inflict defeat upon the galloping Zebras this season. Trojans handed Zebras a 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The two teams meet again this Thursday night at the Den to decide who advances to take on Paget in next month's Shield final on the 'carpet'.

And so far Zebras' coach Mark Wade is "encouraged" by what he sees at Stadium Lane.

"It's very encouraging to see the bulk of the team remain and accept the responsibility of our failure last season and look to build on it. It shows that youngsters, contrary to some of the negative things that are out there, can rise and can accept responsibility for their actions," he noted.

"So it's confidence in that sense and having a young team and being able to keep them together for a few years should definitely bring results and trophies and all of those things that come with having a consistent roster of 25 players."

And Wade is confident his charges will be able to hold their own amongst the big guns next season.

"I definitely think we have the ability, it's just the mental aspect of the game where we need to improve upon. But that's been one of our main focuses this season, how mentally we can't afford to lapse," he added.

"But if we can get a handle on that; being able to mentally approach the so-called weaker teams and still play the type of football we are expected to play, then we should be able to carry that into the Premier Division."

This past season has seen inspirational sweeper Tokia Russell come on leaps and bounds at the heart of the Zebras defence, while veteran midfielder Anthony (Rango) Stovell has provided the impetus and experience in the middle of the park. Strikers Stephen Astwood, Dawud Tucker, Kevin Lambe and Jahnai Raynor have scored the bulk of Zebras 42 league goals this season while promising 'keeper Dennis Joell has only conceded eight league goals between the sticks.

Still, Wade refuses to single out any one player.

"I make it a habit of not singling out players. It's a team game and I always stress that. I leave the singling out of players to the fans and the media," he said.

Not once did Zebras ever doubt they could make a "speedy return" to the top flight, said Wade.

"Once we had played two matches we were fairly sure we could return. . . it was just a matter of continuing on with the same approach we had playing in the Premier Division. We basically didn't change from that and we were confident we could make a speedy return as long as we approached the game in the same manner."

As for the coveted double, according to Wade, achieving it will be a "bonus" for the players themselves.

"The double is a bonus quite honestly and cup competitions to me are rewards for players while league championships are rewards for clubs and coaches. The players are starting to rebound following the disappointment of the FA Cup where we thought we stood a good chance. But they are focusing on a trophy they can certainly win given they apply themselves on Thursday night," noted Wade.

"We are aware anything can happen on the day going into the Shield. So we will have to prepare ourselves to enable us to rise to the challenge against Somerset. Both teams will have their World Cup players back and hopefully we can be victorious again."