In the last years edition the Beasties were forced to hang on for a 33-19 win over Gordon but they had little trouble on Saturday, running in seven tries to the Two Blues one to win 41-7 and pick up their fourth victory from five starts this year.

Five of those tries came in the opening 40 minutes in a Mack Mason-led blitz, as Easts went into the sheds at half-time boasting a 31-0 buffer.

The NSW Waratahs five-eighth was scintillating in the opening period, laying on two of Easts first-half tries, scoring one of his own and slotting the extras on three of those occasions.

He was sin-binned in the second half and didnt get another kick all afternoon which took some of the gloss off an otherwise superb showing, but he was still Easts best in the win along with fullback Archie King.

We couldnt ask for a better start. We have only beaten one of last years top sides though and weve got a tough run coming up that will really test us, show us where were really at. Were all looking forward to that challenge, Easts captain Tim Buchanan said after the win, his side faces heavyweights Southern Districts, Sydney University and Warringah in its next three outings.

Weve definitely set ourselves up well though, we just need to keep that going now.

That five-try blitz largely came through sheer weight of possession, Easts control with ball in hand was remarkable in the opening half and as a result Parramatta was forced to defend for the best part.

That took its toll, every time the Two Blues did have possession in the opening half that coughed it up out of pure fatigue, a point Parramatta skipper Adrian Musico made very clear after the game.

The game wasnt lost in our defence, which might sound weird considering it was 41-7 but it was our attacking options that let us down, he said.

The first 20 we were right in it but we just defended our arses off to be completely honest and we cracked, but under that weight of possession even the best sides in the world would crack and I think it was actually the next 20 minutes that really defined the game.

Our forwards werent nominating on the carry, our backs took some poor options and I think we were probably guilty of trying too hard once we finally did get the ball.

Easts made us pay for that, 31-0 at half-time, it was always going to be tough to come back from. The second half was better, but if you dont have your hands on the ball you cant win the game and that showed.

Musico has a point too, it took Easts 25 minutes to open the scoring despite having the ball for almost every second of that period.

Sam Fogarty actually looked to have scored three minutes prior, but the touch judge ruled him out before he grounded the ball. It mattered little as he crossed not long after, Mason adding the extras.

The Beasts turned that lead into a 14-point buffer two minutes later when King sliced through, before dishing off to Orange City junior Jack Grant, who then found Mason to cross under the sticks.

It became a 21-0 lead at the half-hour mark as well, when former Calare Public School student Ryan McCauley burrowed over from a pick-and-drive and Mason duly slotted the conversion.

The Two Blues had their first real attacking opportunity after that and knocked on after being forced backwards by Easts relentless wall.

The Beasties marched upfield after that, Mason nudging a deft chip kick over the line for Bathursts Charlie Clifton to latch onto and score, the five-eighth sparking his sides next try in the 36^th minute as well.

After winning a penalty eight out from Parramattas line, Mason took a quick tap and caught the Two Blues off guard, dishing off to hooker Connal McInerney who barged over. Mason missed, and the Beasties led 31-0 at half-time.

The second half turned scrappy as Easts took their foot off the gas and played the territory game, although Parramatta did link up a little bit better in the second 40-minute period.

It just didnt quite come together for the Two Blues, certainly nowhere near enough to make up a 31-point deficit anyway.

In the 56^th minute Mason was sin-binned for a late shot, but it bothered Easts little as Dean Oakman-Hunt crossed with 20 to go.

Ted Pye also scored late in the game, before Jaline Graham dived over on the full-time hooter for a Two Blues consolation try, the Parramatta fullback was among his sides best too.

Parramattas always a big physical team and we did have to work hard to score, we knew wed have to work hard in that first half against the wind and it really set us up, Buchanan said.

We werent as good in the second half, we were a bit passive, tried to used the wind and plug the corners rather than playing our footy and it forced us to defend a lot.

Easts skipper went on to laud the Orange crowd and the city itself, saying he desperately hopes his club returns in 2019.

Musico echoed his sentiments.

Its just fantastic out here, it really is, Buchanan said.

We love coming out here. Obviously theres a few local guys in our side and everyone in Orange gets around us and the hospitality is second to none, hopefully were back next year.

I love [the Beach to Bush concept], Musico added.

Weve made a real weekend of it and the crowd was great, all the locals are great, the local game was great. Its just great, Id love to see Parramatta do it again in the next few years.