I Have 2 Options To Implement A Web Forum. Which One Is Better?? (SQL Related)

Hi everyone
 
 
I have 2 options to implement a
 very simple web forum. Which one is better??…..
 

The first approach is as the following:
-create a Posts table which will contain all posts.
- create a replies table which will contain all replies.
- The relation between Posts table and replies table is ONE to MANY
 
Advantages of this approach:

-
        
It follows the rules of normalization.

-
        
It avoids null values which will accrued if all replies and posts where stored in 1 table.
 

Disadvantages of this approach:


-
        

When it comes to implementing the search operation and data retrieve against posts table and replies table, I will need to run 2 different queries which means 2 connection to my SQL database. This means a slower execution and round trip to my SQL database.
 
 
 
 
 

The second approach is as the following:
 

-
        
Create one table which will contain all posts and replies.
 
Advantages of this approach:

-
        
one query will be executed, which means faster execution than the first mentioned approach

-
        

 it avoids round trip to my
 SQL database which happens in the first mentioned approach
 

Disadvantages of this approach:

- It does NOT follows the rules of normalization.

- You will end up with null values (for example the post title field will be empty when inserting a reply.)
 
 

 
I would appreciate any comments or thoughts.