LeVinc Samuels’s journey in the International Bowling Federation World Cup ended with defeat in the round of 16 in the men’s singles in Hong Kong.

After sensationally securing qualification out of the group stages the previous day, the Bermudian continued in the same vein with a clinical performance in the round of 32 against Lam Iek Long, of Macau.

Contested over a best-of-three format, Samuels seized the ascendancy with a 179-130 success in the first game before wrapping up proceedings with a 204-159 victory in the second.

However, despite a valiant effort, he fell short in the next round against Singapore’s Jaris Goh, who took the first game 235-206 before edging the second 193-192, dashing Samuels’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

“I’m a little upset with how my tournament ended,” said Samuels in the immediate aftermath of his elimination.

“To lose like that at this stage is always a big blow and it really hurts. I had a chance in that second game to come back, but I didn’t capitalise, let him back in and he ended up taking the match.

“He’s a very good player, who executed a lot of great shots and gave me very little room to make any mistakes. Bowling is such a brutal sport at times; one where you can get everything almost completely right and still lose.

“It can be a tough pill to swallow but sometimes you just have to hold your hands up because there is nothing you can do. One of the guys [Rafiq Ismael, of Malaysia] hit a perfect 300 in one of the games today. Imagine facing that? Literally, what can you do?”

Despite his frustration, Samuels is adamant he can look back with pride after more than holding his own against the high level of competition.

“I’m disappointed right now, but overall I know I can be really proud of myself and how I performed,” he added.

“Obviously, I wanted to keep going in this competition and that’s what really hurts, but that’s what happens when you come up against the best players in the world.”

There will be no time to dwell on any lingering disappointment, with attention now switching to the team event starting on Saturday.

“I still have work to do with the team event coming up,” said Samuels, who will join forces with Lemar Richardson, Dayvon Tucker and David Maycock.

“I feel like we definitely stand a good chance of performing strongly,” Samuels said. “We know we play well together and keep each other motivated.

“We also have amazing support out here. We feel the love from our travelling support and that helps out on the lanes; it makes us feel like we’re at home.”