Darts Cook Islands are set for podium finish in the third South Pacific Darts Championships being held in Tonga.

In the men’s division, the Cook Islands and Tonga have booked their place in the gold medal match.

The team of 31 members are in very high spirits and have come together as a strong unit.

“We are going all way for gold,” said tour manager Maria Tuoro.

“We have set the standard in our presentation, our conduct and our respect for all teams here in Tonga.

“As tour manager I am very proud to be a Cook Islander right in this moment. National pride is very much alive.

“Everyone here are exactly where they are due to their hard work.”

The national team played Niue yesterday. The men’s team is made up of Temata Matapo, Terepai Urirau Peraua, Charlie Hosking, Pokotea Munokoa, Puna Ben and Moeroa Rota.

The men’s side defeated Tonga 7-4 and Vanuatu 10-1 in their earlier matches.

The ladies team include Mattagurl Tuao, Tarita Dean, Alicia Williams, Teremoana Ioane, Metua Kite and Tearii Riro.

In the ladies division, Niue booked their spot in the gold medal playoff after defeating Tonga 8-3. The results in session five yesterday was to determine who plays Niue for gold.

The women’s side lost to Tonga 5-6 before beating Vanuatu 6-5 in their earlier matches.

Following the completion of the games against Niue (in the men’s), the playoffs will be held with the Cook Islands destined to medal.

Earlier in the week two members of the Cook Islands team Alicia Williams and Ott Tera put their first aid life-saving skills to the test when a member of another team collapsed at the reception event.

The fast-acting duo ensured that the player was safe and checked her vitals before paramedics arrived.

“I felt blessed that I could help out as I have been trained to respond to emergency situations,” said Williams.

Tera felt thankful he knew what to do before paramedics arrived to the scene. He was pleased to know the patient recovered the next day and was back into the darts competition.

Results

The Day 1 results are: Men’s Division - Cook Islands vs Tonga 7-4, Cook Islands vs Vanuatu 10-1; Ladies Division - Cook Islands vs Tonga 5-6, Cook Islands vs Vanuatu 6-5.