Budowlani Łódź defeat champions Pogoń Siedlce 22-21 to remain top of Ekstraliga

First half control in Łódź

Table leaders WizjaMed Grot Budowlani Łódź faced reigning Polish champions Awenta Pogoń Siedlce in the fifth round of the Ekstraliga at the stadium on Górnicza Street. The hosts entered the fixture undefeated after four rounds against lower-ranked opposition, while Siedlce arrived in third place having lost only to Orkan Sochaczew. Budowlani established an early advantage through disciplined defense and precise territorial kicking from player-coach Theuns Kotze. Kotze converted multiple penalties during the opening period, including a successful kick from 55 metres out. Pogoń Siedlce struggled with handling errors throughout the first 40 minutes and failed to convert three separate incursions into the hosts' in-goal area. Siedlce lost possession through forward passes, defensive turnovers, and an infraction by Vaha Halaifonua on the try line just before halftime, leaving Budowlani ahead 14-0 at the interval.

Siedlce fightback in the second half

The second period saw Budowlani extend their advantage to 22-7 before the visiting champions mounted a sustained offensive recovery. Pogoń capitalized on improved territorial pressure to breach the hosts' defensive line, scoring two converted tries in succession. Those fourteen unanswered points narrowed the deficit to 22-21, putting the home side under intense pressure in the final ten minutes. The Łódź defense conceded repeated penalties as Siedlce pushed into attacking territory. Budowlani were subsequently reduced to 13 players after the referee issued two yellow cards during the closing sequence. Despite the numerical deficit, the home side held their defensive structure across multiple phases deep inside their own half.

Final minute penalty miss

The contest was decided in the 80th minute when Pogoń Siedlce were awarded a penalty kick from a manageable position. Fly-half Paul Walters stepped up with the opportunity to claim victory with the final kick of the match. Walters failed to make clean contact, and his attempt fell short of the goalposts without reaching the target. The match referee blew the final whistle immediately following the miss, sealing a 22-21 triumph for the home side. The result preserves Budowlani's undefeated start to the campaign, bringing their record to five victories in five matches. Siedlce left the pitch without points in the league standings after failing to convert their late advantage.

Post-match reactions and technical assessment

Following the defeat, Pogoń Siedlce captain Daniel Gdula reflected on the unforced errors that undermined his team's performance throughout the afternoon.

We are very angry with ourselves. We are frankly ashamed. We really know how to play rugby, but in this match we made too many mistakes.

Former coach Ryszard Wiejski-Wolschendorf praised the tactical execution of Budowlani on social media, commending their set-piece scrums, tackling, and Kotze's decision-making from the backline. He specifically identified lineout execution as a vulnerability that requires technical adjustments before the upcoming league rounds. Budowlani remain at the top of the Ekstraliga table following the fifth round, having passed their primary competitive test of the autumn season.