Gear selection problem 1st 2nd and reverse

 Trying to right turn off a main road to my house when all of a sudden I couldn't engage 1st gear. 

I managed to force 1st in the end to get moving and 2nd wouldnt work either. 3rd 4th and 5th were fine. Reverse also kept popping out when it was engaged

As soon as i got home i adjusted the gear linkage cables which made no difference.

I then did the adjustment again and noticed the cable ends where they clamp over the threads have a lot of play in the ball joint part. (they're rubber actually but work like ball joints)

So I released the springs to clamp the threads whilst holding the cable ends firmly against the cables, and it works fine now albeit a bit heavier gear change than before

Im wandering if the rubber pieces on the cable ends have worn to the point where there is too much play for the gears to engage properly

Has anyone else had this problem with their gearbox?

 Its a 1.2 BME fabia with a JJL gearbox