SHEFFIELD’S first top flight meeting since 1988 ended with a consolation point after a last heat decider at Belle Vue.
Tigers were edged out 47-43 on a fabulous night of racing at the National Speedway Stadium.
Aussie ace Jack Holder was in stunning form on his Tru Plant Tigers debut with a 19-point haul from seven outings.
He raced in three successive races at the end with a programmed outing, a tactical substitution and a nominated race in Heat 15.
He said: “I didn’t hesitate when Steady (Simon Stead) asked me. I just said I’d do it, I feel fit and feel great on the bike and I just went out there and did my best for the team.
“I’m just pleased to have raced for Sheffield and I’m really pleased we’re up and running in England. It’s been good to have some meetings in Poland but I’m also really pleased England has opened up.
“I think when we are at full strength we will do well but there will be the occasional issue with Adam (Ellis) and myself where we have to miss a meeting, that’s just how it is.
“As long as we’re in the play-offs we can go on and do something big in this league.”
Ellis missed out because of isolation rules in Poland but is set to be taken off the list shortly.
Tigers fully deserved their league point after digging deep to keep the Aces at bay.
Reserve duo Josh Bates and James Wright teamed up for a 5-1 in Heat 2 to hand them a 7-5 lead.
Belle Vue pegged them back but a big 5-1 from Justin Sedgmen and Kyle Howarth at the half-way point put them 23-19 up.
But Belle Vue bounced back in Heat 10 when Brady Kurtz and Richie Worrall got a maximum to level it at 30-30.
They followed that with a 4-2 and a 5-1 to go into a 39-33 lead with three races to go but Tigers notched a maximum of their own with the brilliant Holder teaming up with Sedgmen for a 5-1 to take it to a last heat decider.
Belle Vue did enough in the last heat with Dan Bewley getting the better of Holder and Kurtz outpacing Sedgmen for the win.
Tigers now turn their attentions to Thursday and the home clash with Peterborough.
BELLE VUE 47: Dan Bewley 12+1, Brady Kurtz 9, Jye Etheridge 9+1, Richie Worrall 6+2, Charles Wright 5+1, Steve Worrall 3+1, Tom Brennan 3. SHEFFIELD 43: Jack Holder 19, Kyle Howarth 8+3, Justin Sedgmen 7+1, Josh Bates 5, James Wright 2+1, Troy Batchelor 2, Adam Ellis r/r.
