The Sheffield players trying to beat Sheffield to the title!

None more so than for Steelers Sam Jones, Cole Shudra and former Arena players Brad Day and Kieran Brown.

On practice day, they jump into the same car and head off 115 miles south to Shropshire.

They are currently on the Telford Tigers' roster, competing in the Spring Cup.

And who are seen as their biggest rivals to lift the NIHL Cup? Yep, that will be Sheffield Steeldogs, the team whose rink they virtually drive past to get to the M1.

Jones, who signed for Steelers last July, is unfazed by the irony of it all.

Instead, the 23-year-old ex Fife Flyer is concentrating on doing well for Telford, before his eventual return to the Steelers' EIHL fold.

Saturday's game sees him reacquaint himself with one of his other previous clubs, Swindon Wildcats.

They lock horns on the same day Steeldogs face Bees af iceSheffield.

Jones believes his temporary team has performed well so far (four wins out of four) saying: "I think we have a good mix of veterans and younger guys that provides a good balance.

"Having guys like Jonathan Weaver, Jason Silverthorn and Ricky Plant is great because they keep the room together and can definitely teach the young guys a thing or two.

"Everyone gets on really well in the room and it's been a good level. Now everyone is getting more comfortable, the games will only get better.

"I loved my time in Swindon, it's a similar group there since I played and it will be my first time back at the Link Centre which I'm really looking forward to.

"They have a very good team, better than the two we've played to date (Raiders and Bees) so it will be a good test for us."Jones denies the Spring Cup is effectively a two horse race between Telford and Sheffield.

"I think saying that the Cup will boil down to us and the Steeldogs is a bit presumptuous.

There's still lots of hockey to be played and anything can happen. Sheffield obviously have a good team but anything can happen."

The defenceman has enjoyed teaming up with the Yorkshire contingent at Telford.

"It's been good playing with Cole and Brown so far this season. We've all been travelling down from Sheffield together along with Brad Day and they are a great group of guys.

"They've all been playing well. We're all just trying to get used to playing again and get back to the same level we were at before."

Jones' present coach Tom Watkins has told The Star that he has to be careful to ensure the skater's offensive instincts don’t overtake his defensive responsibilities."

The player acknowledged: "I was a forward up until I was 16 years old so that 'offense-first' instinct has been the biggest struggle for me to overcome in my career so far.

"I have got better at knowing when to jump over the years but I still make mistakes. I do need to get better at the smaller areas in the defensive zone, as well, if I want to be a good player at the elite level."