Bunt said the umpires and his team were called “cheats” after the 2-1 win, decided on a penalty stroke.

Robertson captain-coach Jo Bisby said she was unaware of the alleged actions by Robertson’s players and supporters.

The grand final was the first women’s top grade game to be officiated by umpires from outside the Southern Highlands all season.

Southern Highlands Hockey Association president Sandra Sharpe said the umpires came from the Campbelltown area.

The umpires were organised by well-connected Bowral coach Bunt, who also coaches hockey outside of the Highlands.

But Sharpe dismissed any claims that Bowral had paid the umpires or that they had favoured Bowral in any way.

“We like to have umpires from outside the area who are not aware of any of the politics involved in our association,” Sharpe said.

“I thought they did an excellent job.”

Sharpe said the men’s first grade decider was umpired by two Highlanders, because the SHHA could not get any outside umpires to officiate the men’s match.

Bisby said it was tough losing to a penalty stroke late in the match.

She called for the SHHA to engage the outside umpires throughout the entire semi-finals series.

“Going into the game we knew the umpiring would be a little different to what our girls are used to because the umpires were from outside the area,” she said.

“Maybe they [the SHHA] should bring the umpires in at different times in the season or for the whole semi-finals so we can get a bit more used to them.”