Park Lane and Trinity Academy went head to head at Mixenden Activity Centre on Wednesday 29 June as Park Lane looked to retain the title taken from their opponents in last year’s Mix Match School Challenge.

This year marked the 3^rd year of the Mix Match School Challenge and just over a week since the very first Mini Mix Match Challenge took place, won by Ash Green Community Primary School.

Although the weather had its own ideas, it was never going to dampen the spirits and competitiveness of this year’s challenge.

A number of challenges took place throughout the morning and into the afternoon and some proved more testing than others in gruelling conditions, but every young person taking part did themselves proud and dug deep to give their teams the best chance of coming out on top.

With both schools looking to take home the crown for a second time, it was a closely contested day with some outstanding teamwork shown in challenges such as the Police Challenge in which a large tent had to be assembled based on an identical one displayed out of sight, a challenge which tested competitor’s memory as well as their team work and communication.

Other challenges included the Tag Collection, Shark Challenge, Cycle Course, Fireman’s Obstacle Challenge, Blindfold Assault Course, Ghost Street Video & Quiz, Rock Climbing and of course the Bucket Fill Challenge used in the semi-final and final.

After a day filled with laughs, dolphin rides, mud slides and plenty of fun, it was Park Lane Learning Trust who managed to edge their way to victory for a second consecutive year and retain their title of Mix Match School Challenge Champions.

The event is designed in conjunction with local and uniformed service providers, with the aim of the day to cut down on perceived barriers between unformed services, such as the police and the fire service, and the young people.

A big thank you goes to the services involved, West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service,  Mixenden Activity Centre, the Mixenden Initiative and of course the teachers and pupils who once again came along to take part even with the testing weather conditions.

Funding and refreshments for the event was supplied by Pennine Housing 2000, Ward Forum Grants and Wm. Morrison’s Supermarkets.