"Those three injuries were added to the 11 we already have. Considering the number of guys available I was really proud of the effort," Philpott said.
He pointed out that the Magpies scrum went well against a much heavier pack.
"There were times when we carried loosely. We didn't shut down their offload play well and they were able to get a bit of momentum. There were also times when we retained possession for more than 12 phases and then turned the ball over," Philpott said.
True considering the ammunition available to the Magpies - who have a one-win, eight-loss record to date - were never going to beat the Taniwha, who did well to secure a bonus point for four tries and keep their semifinal hopes alive. But the Magpies should still have competed better against a province which had won only two of their past nine matches against the Bay.
It was alarming to see the Magpies turn down easy penalties at goal. One in the 11th minute would have had the visitors trailing 5-3 and another in the 47th minute could have had them 17-10 behind.
The late withdrawal of Highlanders utility back Richard Buckman and the unavailability of regular starting locks Geoff Cridge and Michael Allardice meant the Magpies were never going to replicate the improvement displayed in the previous week's 33-30 loss to North Harbour.
Dixon was again up with the best of the Magpies. Mikaele-Tu'u cover defended and cleaned up well while flanker Tony Lamborn had a high defensive workrate. World champion Baby Blacks prop Pouri Rakete-Stones deserves a lot of the credit for the positive scrummaging Philpott touched upon.
Halfback Brad Weber's impressive first half was an indication he is almost back to his best, while first five-eighth Ihaia West was again the best of the Magpies backs. It was a clever kick ahead from West which led to the Bay's sole try by winger Cardiff Vaega in the 16th minute.
Vaega was unlucky not to have a second try in the 69th minute after another intelligent kick ahead, this time by fullback Tiaan Falcon. Vaega knocked the ball on in the process of grounding.
Northland's Highlanders and Maori All Blacks flanker Dan Pryor was outstanding with two tries, powerful carries and a huge defensive workrate. Former All Black Rene Ranger, playing at centre, impressed with his offloads, defensive workrate and x-factor touches while promising fullback Solomon Alaimalo was elusive on the carry and safe under the high ball.
While defence will again be a key work-on this week the Magpies must also address their discipline lapses again. They conceded 14 penalties, five more than they were awarded.
Match highs
Heartstopper: When the Magpies turned down an easy three points in the 47th minute. This could have been the start of a momentum shift and it could have had the visitors within seven points.
Turning point: Northland centre Rene Ranger's 55th-minute try. Substitute pivot Dan Hawkins conversion had the hosts 24-7 ahead and the Magpies were never going to recover from this deficit.
Player of the match: Northland flanker Dan Pryor. Two tries, powerful carries and a huge defensive workrate. Taniwha fullback Solomon Alaimalo was close behind Pryor.
Scorers: Northland 34 (Dan Pryor 2, Rene Ranger, Tim Bond tries; Peter Breen 2 cons, pen; Dan Hawkins 2 cons, pen), Hawke's Bay 7 (Cardiff Vaega try; Ihaia West con). HT: 17-7.
