would someone advise on how to go about adjusting the play in column shift mechanism. i am getting hung up between 1st and 2nd

Clean, lubricate, and shim the mechanism. Make sure the pivot pin and hole in the shift lever don't have excessive play - That can be bushed. If the inner end of the shift arm (the "wedge" end) is worn, you can build it up with hard-facing weld and grind/file it back into shape. If the gate is worn, you can do the same but it's a lot harder to shape, and will require removal of the upper and lower column bowls (nearly complete disassembly of the column to remove the shift tube).