SHEFFIELD opened the new Speedway season with a narrow 47-43 defeat at the hands of Elite League superstars Belle Vue on Thursday night.

Fans packed the terraces and newly refurbushed restaurant in big numbers and were rewarded with a close contest which was decided late on.

Tigers youngster Josh Auty, who top scored with 12-points for the Sheffield Window Centre-backed side, said: "I enjoyed it. We all did well and we can feel confident moving forward from this first meeting."

Auty was very impressive for the hosts with promising displays from newcomers Franc and Bugeja and Tigers will take the positives from pushing their highly-fancied rivals all the way.

Eric Boocock's men go to Scunthorpe in their Premier Trophy opener on Friday and will be unchanged (7.30).

TIGERS: J. Auty 12, R. Ashworth 9+1, J. Franc 7+1, H. Skidmore 6+2, P. Cooper 4, A. Bugeja 3, R. Hall 2.
BELLE VUE: P. Karlsson 12, L. Lanham 9, J. Wright 8+2, J. Grajczonek 7, T/ Woffinden 6, P. Hougaard 4+1, W. Lawson 1.